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Like a biological virus, a computer virus infects its host and spreads throughout the body. In this case an infected file accesses a computer and spreads throughout the system to other files and folders.
The term ‘computer virus’ is commonly used to refer to any malicious or destructive programs including worms, Trojans, spyware and adware. While all malicious software does, in a sense, ‘infect’ a computer, a virus is a specific type of software that has specific patterns of behaviour.
Computer viruses are transmitted from system to system through the exchange of infected files or folders. Infected files are downloaded, either from a website or as an email attachment, in the guise of harmless files. Once the file is opened the virus is programmed to self-execute and infect the system. Viruses also spread through the exchange of infected files in external devices like floppy disks, cds and USB ports.
Once a virus is unleashed in a computer it takes over, self-replicating, spreading its code, taking over files and folders, and gradually destroying the system. Computer viruses result in damaged files, inaccessible data or programs, sporadic and unpredictable computer function and eventually inoperable systems.
In addition to spreading throughout the system and contaminating files, some computer viruses have an additional ‘destructive payload’, executed when the user unwittingly issues a preset command.
Some viruses infect computer systems corrupting code and causing a wide range of symptoms including slow response times, failure to open programs, freezing during commands, and eventually failure to boot up at all. Some viruses can damage programs, delete files and even reformat the hard disk.
There are a few reasons why people might write computer viruses. Like vandalism or arson, creating public mayhem through viruses may seem very exciting. Maybe it’s a thrill or an ego boost to design a virus that holds large numbers of people, as well as powerful corporations and government agencies in your control.
Some programmers might perceive writing viruses as a technological challenge in a war against the computer establishment. If people adept at programming are excluded from or at odds with conventional computer software design, or feel threatened by the power of major computer corporations, without a productive outlet this angry or thrill-seeking energy can result in programming viruses. As long as people write viruses corporations like Microsoft have to devote time and money to combating them. Or maybe people write them just to see if they can.
Antivirus software can help you secure your system against potential threats. Scanning your system and checking new files, the software identifies and isolates or deletes infected files. Often operating systems are equipped with built in virus scans that monitor and check files before they are opened. The antivirus software works by comparing the code content of the attached file against a registry of known virus codes so it is important to update your security software frequently. Scans can either be preset to run at periodic interval or be initiated manually as commanded by the user.
