Think you have acquired a nice virus on your computer? Is that what you think the visual warnings are telling you, at least?

You aren't alone. But it's possible that you also aren't informed.

Here's a story from a recent Ft. Lauderdale computer repair client who writes that things are not always what they seem ...

A virus? Not on my e-mail. It claim to be virus free!

For no discernible reason, I began receiving a warning that my e-mail program had been quarantined due to a supposed virus. It was right, in a sense, as my e-mail program was locked out. Gone. Disappeared. Vanished. Thin air.

I tried downloading the program again. Up popped the same virus warning and subsequent "quarantine." The plus side? At least my virus detection was working.

Throughout this process I scanned my computer three times and no further virus. The company said: “We’re aware of the situation and have technicians working on it."

One day and $19.95 later, I received an email containing instructions for clearing the virus warning and how to download the program again. This time, success.

Also in the e-mail was a note that the warning was a false alarm and had stemmed from the company. A subsequent follow-up call from them confirmed everything was in order, and with a little wrangling, I got a refund of my fee for computer services rendered.

This just goes to show that not every story ends badly when it comes to computer repair, virus protection and online security. It can't hurt to a little faith!

(And back up your files constantly).