What is Computer Virus and Types of Virus

What is Computer Virus?

A Computer Virus is a computer program or a piece of code that is loaded onto user’s computer without the knowledge of Users and run against user’s consent to damage computer by unexpected events and a usually malicious event like Corrupting system files, Stealing personal information, wasting resources, destroying data or otherwise being a nuisance.

The virus has a property to replicate itself and spread itself starting with one computer then onto the next computer. It can affect the data files, Document Information, Boot sector of Hard Drive, etc. Computer viruses harm billions of dollars worth every year. The majority of viruses target systems running Microsoft Windows. To counter with viruses, programmers created Anti-virus programs. To protect your Computer from Viruses, Basic Computer Knowledge is Must.

Virus FullForm

The Full form of Virus is Vital Information Resources Under Seize.

History of Virus

The idea of a computer program capable of self-replicating was first introduced by John Von Neumann in his 1949 “Hypothesis of self-replication Automata” paper. Afterward, Fred Cohen in 1983 coined the term virus in a 1984 research paper as “a computer program that can impact other computer programs by modifying them so as to incorporate a duplicate copy of itself.”

Since 1987, when a virus infected ARPANET, an extensive Network used by the Defense Department and numerous colleges or Universities, Numerous Antivirus programs have turned out to be accessible. These programs periodically check your computer system for the best-known kind of computer virus.

Types of Computer Virus

  1. Boot sector viruses
  2. Stealth viruses
  3. Macro viruses
  4. Program viruses
  5. Browser hijacker
  6. File infector viruses
  7. Multipartite viruses
  8. Polymorphic viruses
  9. Active X viruses
  10. Resident viruses
List of Malwares which are generally categorized as computer virus:
  • Computer Worms
  • Spyware
  • Trojan horse
  • Ransomware
  • Adware

  • Worm(Write Once, Read Many):

A computer worm is a malware program that replicates itself to spread to uninfected computers. Worms regularly use parts of an OS that are programmed and undetectable to the users. It is normal for worms to be seen just when their uncontrolled replication consumes system resources, slow-down, or ends the running tasks.

  • Spyware:

Spyware is software that gathers information about you and transmits it to an unauthorized third party. with examples such as key-loggers(records keystroke), this sort of malware is intended to spy on users, save their passwords, credit card details, other personal information, and online behavior, and send them off to whoever programmed it.

  • Trojan Horse:

Trojan horse is a malware program that appears harmless, but is, in fact, malicious which misleads users of its true intent. Trojans can be employed by cyber-thieves and hackers trying to gain access to users’ systems. Users are typically tricked by some form of social engineering into loading and executing Trojans on their systems. Unlike a computer virus, a Trojan horse is not able to replicate itself, nor can it propagate without an end user’s assistance.

  • Ransomware:

Ransom malware, or ransomware, is a type of malware that hijacks files (and sometimes an entire hard drive), encrypts them & prevents users from accessing their system or personal files and demands a ransom payment in order to exchange decryption key to regain access (which may or may not work, but it probably won’t). The earliest variants of ransomware were developed in the late 1980s, and payment was to be sent via snail mail. Today, ransomware creators demand that payments be sent by means of cryptocurrency or credit card.

  • Adware:

Adware, or advertising-supported programmed software, produces income for its developer via automatically introducing undesirable commercial Ads of the product while working on the computer or in the user interface of the software or on a screen presented to the user during the installation process. The product may create two kinds of income: one is for the display of the ad and another on a “pay-per-click” basis. it can infect your computer by spying, displaying infinite pop-ups, slowing up your device & Eating up your data.

Destructive Effects of Computer Virus

  • Computer Virus Can remove your entire Hard-Disk Data.
  • Computer Virus Can damage the computer’s boot sector.
  • Computer Virus Can steal your computer’s information/Personal info. & send it to someone else.
  • Computer Virus Can corrupt your system file and slow down your computer system.
  • Computer Virus Can make some infected programs & generate corrupt/irrelevant or faulty data.
  • Computer Virus Can display superfluous and irrelevant messages on your computer Display.

How to Protect Computer from Viruses?

  • Try to avoid download files from unknown sources, either from your email or the web.
  • You can protect your computer from viruses by installing a credible Antivirus protection program.
  • Scan all new files with Good Antivirus software before opening.
  • Try to avoid download attachments (e.g., Games, images, PDF/Doc files, Electronic Greetings) until & unless they’re from someone you know.

Most Effective Antivirus in Markets

Following are the most popular and effective antivirus from which you can choose one for your personal computer:

  1. McAfee Antivirus Plus
  2. Malware Byte
  3. Quick Heal Antivirus
  4. Kaspersky Anti-Virus
  5. Avast Pro Antivirus
  6. Bitdefender Antivirus Plus
  7. Avira Antivirus
  8. Emsisoft Anti-Malware
  9. Symantec Norton Antivirus
  10. Webroot Secure Anywhere Antivirus

Also Read This: Internet Speed- How fast your Connection is?

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