They can be hidden in software, especially in pirated items, or in other programs and files which you are downloading. Viruses in general, start working and spreading once you start using the application or program to which the virus is attached.
Once the virus is in the memory, one of several things can happen. First, it can be programmed to attach itself to other programs and applications, folders, or disks.
Second, if given the chance, it can infect a network. To safeguard your files and to protect your computer, take time to understand computer viruses and what you should avoid doing to save your system from the virus.
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Computer Worm. After entering a computer, a virus attaches itself to another program in such a way that execution of the host program triggers the action of the virus simultaneously. It can self-replicate, inserting itself onto other programs or files, infecting them in the process. Not all computer viruses are destructive though. However, most of them perform actions that are malicious in nature, such as destroying data.
Some viruses wreak havoc as soon as their code is executed, while others lie dormant until a particular event as programmed gets initiated, that causes their code to run in the computer. Viruses spread when the software or documents they get attached to are transferred from one computer to another using a network, a disk, file sharing methods, or through infected e-mail attachments.
Some viruses use different stealth strategies to avoid their detection from anti-virus software. For example, some can infect files without increasing their sizes, while others try to evade detection by killing the tasks associated with the antivirus software before they can be detected. Some old viruses make sure that the "last modified" date of a host file stays the same when they infect the file.
Related Definitions. File-infecting Virus A virus that attached itself to an executable program. Browser Hijacker This virus targets and alters your browser setting. Web Scripting Virus A very sneaky virus that targets popular websites. Boot Sector Virus These viruses are once common back when computers are booted from floppy disks.
Polymorphic Virus This virus has the capability to evade anti-virus programs since it can change codes every time an infected file is performed.
Multipartite Virus A type of virus that is very infectious and can easily spread on your computer system. Protection Against These Types Computer Viruses A virus left untreated can wreak havoc on your device but if detected early, and appropriate measures are done, then the recovery would be quick.
Avoid clicking on suspicious links. Scan email attachments before opening it. Avoid clicking on pop-up advertisements and get a pop-up blocker for your web browser. Install a reliable anti-virus program and always keep it up to date. The payload could be stealing data, destroying data, or interrupting services on the network or the local device. Malware authors write code that is undetectable until the payload is delivered.
However, like any software program, bugs could present issues while the virus runs. Signs that you have a computer virus include:. The web contains millions of computer viruses, but only a few have gained popularity and infect record numbers of machines. Some examples of widespread computer viruses include:. Computer viruses can damage your PC, send sensitive data to attackers, and cause downtime until the system is repaired. You can avoid becoming the next computer virus victim by following a few best practices:.
What Is a Computer Virus? Definition A computer virus is a malicious application or authored code used to perform destructive activity on a device or local network. Types of Computer Viruses Every virus has a payload that performs an action. The nine major categories for viruses are: Boot Sector Virus Your computer drive has a sector solely responsible for pointing to the operating system so that it can boot into the interface. Web Scripting Virus Most browsers have defenses against malicious web scripts, but older, unsupported browsers have vulnerabilities that allow an attacker to run code on the local device.
Browser Hijacker A virus that can change the settings on your browser will hijack browser favorites, the home page URL, your search preferences and redirect you to a malicious site. Resident Virus A virus that can access computer memory and sit dormant until a payload is delivered is considered a resident virus. Direct Action Virus When a user executes a seemingly harmless file attached with malicious code, direct action viruses deliver a payload immediately. File Infector Virus To persist on a system, a threat actor uses file infector viruses to inject malicious code into critical files that run the operating system or important programs.
Multipartite Virus These malicious programs spread across a network or other systems by copying themselves or injecting code into critical computer resources. Macro Virus Microsoft Office files can run macros, and these macros can be used to download additional malware or run malicious code.
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