How to File a Complaint About a Computer Virus

A computer virus is more than just annoying. It can seriously damage or erase files on your computer, even your entire operating system. Alternatively, a virus can operate in stealth mode, waiting for an opportunity to infect everyone in your email address book. What's worse, a virus can make your computer vulnerable to being accessed by a hacker from a remote location. If you've fallen victim to a computer virus, you should know how to file a complaint with the Federal Bureau of Investigations.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Computer with Internet access (one that's virus-free)

Learn Some Tips to Prevent Computer Viruses

1. Be very careful about sharing files over a P2P (peer-to-peer) network, such as a music service. For one thing, there's a possibility that other users can download a file from your computer while connected to a file sharing service, even if you didn't intend to share it. For another, you could download a file from the service that contains a virus. So, make sure your file sharing settings are set correctly and that your computer is not open to file sharing while you're busy with other computer tasks.
2. Make sure you install and run virus protection software on a regular basis. Remember that it's important to frequently check for and download updates for this software as well.
3. Take advantage of anti-spyware software to help rid your computer of cached Web pages, possible viruses, and even unwanted tracking cookies that inform third parties about the sites you visit. There are several good anti-spyware programs available that are inexpensive or even free.

Fight Back if Your Computer Gets a Virus

4. Appreciate the fact that anyone who willfully and knowingly distributes a computer virus is guilty of violating the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act and is subject to fines and imprisonment.
5. Document or save anything that may provide evidence about the viral attack, such as a suspect file on a CD, an email with an unexpected attachment, etc. Even a damaged hard drive can be scanned with diagnostic software to determine the nature, and hopefully the source, of a virus.
6. File a formal complaint with the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) through its affiliate, the Internet Crime Complaint Center (see Resources below).