Loving computer viruses

Virus! You have done me a great service, and I thank you. You have humbled me and exalted me, both. Virus, you are the gift that keeps on giving. You are the Santa of the e-generation. Your viral nature has made my holiday season, and I will never forget you, Virus. I will also never again install a plug-in from a Web site I?ve never heard of, and I thank you for that as well.

Merry Christmas, Virus. Let's have lunch.

- Salon.com writer Nick Altebrando, extolling the not-oft-seen benefits of computer viruses.