Program Information

NASA Kids Science News segment explaining what a computer virus is.

NASA Kids Science News Network™ is a news-style standards-based program that uses the Web, animation, and video to introduce science, technology, engineering, math, and NASA concepts. NASA's KSNN™ uses animated characters (grades K-2) and Web and video technology (grades 3-5) to explain everyday phenomena of our world, correct misconceptions, and answer frequently asked questions.

Transcript

Hi, I'm Grant with more computer
news you can use.

What is a computer virus?

My mom said our computer
got a virus
and now it needs
to be repaired.

How could that happen?

(Grant)
When a virus enters your body,
it can spread
through the human body's systems
and make you feel sick.

A virus in a computer also
spreads through its systems
and makes it act differently,
like it is sick.

Sometimes a virus is hidden
inside a good program.

It enters your computer
when you start the program.

I heard that computers can get
a virus through email.

(Grant)
Only if you open an infected
attachment on the email message.

Be careful any time
you download files.

Can I protect my computer
from getting a virus?

(Grant)
Yes, special antivirus programs
can find and remove viruses
from files
before they enter your computer.

I'm glad I know how to protect
my computer now.

(Grant)
To learn more,
visit our website.

Until next time, I'm Grant with
cool computer news you can use.

Virginia Standards