Navidad computer virus infects Belize

Just as colds and flu seem to surface during Christmas, so too do computer viruses. The Navidad virus, which travels through email programmes, has existed for a year but it has only recently made its way into the computer systems of home and business users across Belize and the world. This afternoon, after receiving a dozen unwanted gifts on our own computers, it was time to consult a doctor.

Raymond Lashley Jr., Computer Technician

“Viruses are programmes created by people, mostly programmers. It’s no different from programmes out there. However, the intent of the virus is to create problems on your system, corrupt your files, destroy your hard drive, and shut down your computers. It has malicious intent.”

“The Navidad Virus is a mass mailing worm virus. Basically what it does is that it attaches itself to any attachment that you have in your inbox and it basically uses the body of your email to label itself Navidad.exe. So when you receive your incoming email, in the body of it you are going to see Navidad.exe.”

“What it does is that is changes the registry of your computer and disables all the Microsoft software like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, you are unable to launch those particular programmes. When you try to launch, for example, Word you get an error message and that’s because of the change in the registry.”

“What people can do to prevent viruses on their machines is to use anti-virus programmes such as Norton Anti-virus and keep updating the programmes. You can go to Norton.com and get the updates on a bi-weekly time frame or every two weeks you can get updates to keep you anti-virus programme current.”

Lashley says that computer users should save their work on a regular basis to avoid problems. Although a hard-drive costs at least three hundred dollars, the data and time lost to a virus may be an even greater expense. When we last checked our computer at news time, it appeared that the Navidad virus was multiplying rapidly across Belize.