From: "Geo." 

Great but consider one thing, the goal. The goal of the virus appears to be
reproduction, is that not the goal of all life? Can you think of something
that's not life that has this goal (excluding the current possible
example)?

Geo.

"John Beckett"  wrote
in message news:3efd5476.21862797{at}216.144.1.254...
> "Geo."  wrote in message
news::
> > that's what they are but how do they work?
>
> My understanding of this is very likely lower than Alan's, but I will
> nevertheless suggest a "high level" explanation for how viruses work.
>
> A cell is a self-sufficient package (requiring certain inputs) that can
> reproduce by division.
>
> A virus is something that takes advantage of the machinery in certain
> cells. The virus can enter the cell, then subvert the cell's reproduction
> tools to reproduce the virus. The cell bursts when too many viruses have
> been created. The freed viruses then drift around, ready to repeat this
> process on any other similar cells.
>
> I realise this is not the kind of explanation you had in mind. However, it
> is satisfying in another way: Given that a cell can reproduce, anything
> that can (1) enter the cell, and (2) trigger the reproduction mechanism
> will propagate itself.
>
> Cells have security mechanisms to block (1), but if they don't have the
> latest service pack, they are vulnerable!
>
> John
>

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