Methods, software or computer programs, and apparatus for detecting viruses and mitigating their harm to computers communicating through a gateway node to another network are disclosed. Upon detection of a virus in an incoming data stream or plurality of data packets directed to a gateway device or node, the data requesting recipient is notified and provided with a plurality of pre-defined virus handling action options. If the recipient, or designated proxy, fails to select an action option, then a random selection is made. If a selection is made, then that selection, to the exclusion of other action options, is carried out. Thus, the recipient is empowered to dynamically select, as circumstances dictate and without future prejudice, the appropriate response upon detection of a particular virus. Action options may include data encryption and forwarding with recipient notification, or where email is the vector, attachment removal and location link insertion may be used. Software embodiments of the invention provide the machine readable instructions to carry out the methods according to the invention.