Paths of infection

Viruses reach their target in different ways:

• The main infection route is e-mail. Under certain circumstances, a virus can become active simply by reading an e-mail (for example, if the auto-preview function is active). It is particularly dangerous to open sent files (attachments) without thinking.
• Launching files that you download from the Internet can also make a virus active. Sometimes even visiting an infected web page is enough.
• The internal network can also be the starting point of viruses. They can be present in saved documents or program parts and spread automatically via connected network drives or send themselves.
• External storage media such as USB sticks can contain viruses - even originals from the manufacturer or even the USB stick from helpful colleagues may be infected. Smartphones and digital cameras that are connected to your network can also transmit viruses.
• A risk that should not be underestimated is the exchange of data via smartphone, USB stick or portable hard drive between home PC and computer in the office.