What exactly is a computer virus and how does it work?
A computer virus is a type of malicious software that, when executed, copies itself and infects a computer without the user’s permission or knowledge. A virus can spread from one computer to another through a variety of mechanisms, including email attachments, removable media such as USB drives, and by infecting files on a network file share.
There are a few key elements that all viruses share:
1. They are self-replicating – once a virus has infected a computer, it will copy itself and infect other computers that come into contact with the infected one.
2. They are often cloaked, or disguised, as something else – like a harmless email attachment or a fun game. This makes it more likely that users will unwittingly execute the virus.
3. They can be damaging – some viruses are designed to delete files, corrupt data, or disable programs. Others may:: hijack your computer and demand ransom to release it, or use your computer to attack other computers.
4. They spread quickly – because viruses replicate themselves, they can often spread very quickly across networks and around the internet.
Viruses are just one type of malware, or malicious software. Other types of malware include spyware, which gathers information about you without your knowledge or consent; and adware, which displays advertising on your computer without your consent.
How do computer viruses spread?
A computer virus is a type of malware that, when executed, copies itself to another computer and interferes with normal computer operation. Viruses can spread in many ways, including email attachments, downloading infected files from the Internet, and CDs or USB drives. However, the most common way for a virus to spread is by email.
Most email programs allow you to preview attachments before you open them. However, if you’re not careful, it’s easy to mistake a virus for a harmless piece of email. For example, many viruses masquerade as pictures, greeting cards, or audio or video files. When you click on the attachment, the virus is automatically downloaded and installed on your computer.
Some viruses can spread without any user interaction. For example, the macro virus can infect documents, such as Microsoft Word files. When you open an infected document, the virus macro is automatically executed, and the virus can spread to other documents on your computer.
If you have a virus, you may not be able to see some of your files, or your computer may crash. In some cases, a virus can delete your files or render your computer unusable.
You can protect your computer from viruses by using an antivirus program. Antivirus programs scan your computer for viruses and remove them. You should also be careful about what you download and open. Don’t open email attachments from people you don’t know, and be careful about downloading files from the Internet.
We used malwarezero.org to write this article about computer viruses. Click here to learn more.