What is a Computer Virus?
Last Updated :
23 Jul, 2025
A computer virus is a type of malicious software program ("malware") that, when executed, replicates itself by modifying other computer programs and inserting its code. When this replication succeeds, the affected areas are then said to be "infected". Viruses can spread to other computers and files when the software or documents they are attached to are transferred from one computer to another using a network, a disk, file-sharing methods, or through infected email attachments.
What is a Computer Virus?
A computer virus is a type of harmful program. When it runs, it makes copies of itself and adds its code to other programs and files on your computer. These viruses come in different types, and each type can affect your device differently. Simply put, a computer virus changes how your computer works and aims to spread to other computers. It does this by attaching itself to normal programs or documents that can run code, known as macros.
What Does a Computer Virus Do?
A virus can harm or destroy data, slow down system resources, and log keystrokes, among other things. A virus can have unexpected or harmful outcomes during this procedure, such as destroying system software by corrupting data. Some viruses are made to mess things up by deleting files, messing up programs, or even wiping out your hard drive completely. Even if they're not super harmful, viruses can still slow down your computer a lot, using up memory and making it crash often. Others might just make copies of themselves or send so much stuff over the internet that it's hard to do anything online.
Virus vs. Malware – What is the difference?
Viruses and malware are often used interchangeably, but they're not quite the same. Here's how they differ:
| Aspect | Virus | Malware |
|---|
| Definition | A type of malicious software | A broader category of harmful software |
| Behavior | Self-replicating | Can include viruses, worms, trojans, etc. |
| Spread | Often requires user interaction | Can spread through various methods, including email, downloads, and vulnerabilities |
| Damage | Can corrupt or delete files | Can cause a range of harm, including data theft, system damage, and spying |
| Detection | Can be detected by antivirus software | Requires comprehensive security measures and practices |
| Examples | Morris Worm, ILOVEYOU | WannaCry ransomware, Zeus trojan |
History of Computer Virus
Viruses have been attacking various devices for a long time, spreading through the Internet or other means. They are often created to steal information or completely ruin devices. The first computer virus, called the "Creeper system," appeared in 1971 as an experimental virus that could copy itself. Following that, in the mid-1970s, the "Rabbit" virus emerged, which replicated very quickly and caused significant damage at the same pace. The virus known as "Elk Cloner" was created in 1982 by Rich Skrenta. It spread through a floppy disk containing a game and attached itself to the Apple II operating system.
The first virus for MS-DOS, called "Brain," appeared in 1986. It was designed by two Pakistani brothers and overwrote the boot sector of floppy disks, making it impossible for the computer to start. It was originally meant to be a copy protection system. In 1988, more destructive viruses began to surface. Until then, most viruses were considered pranks with funny names and messages. However, in 1988, "The Morris" became the first widely spreading virus.
How To Prevent Your Computer From Viruses?
Keeping your computer safe from viruses is a lot like keeping yourself from catching a cold. Just as you might wash your hands regularly or avoid sick friends, there are simple steps you can take to protect your computer. Here are some easy tips:
1. Install Antivirus Software: Think of antivirus software as your computer's doctor. It works around the clock to detect and block viruses before they can infect your system. Make sure to keep it updated!
2. Update Regularly: Keep your operating system, software, and apps up to date. Updates often include fixes for security vulnerabilities that viruses could exploit.
3. Be Cautious with Emails and Downloads: Don't open emails or download attachments from unknown sources. If an email looks suspicious, even if you know the sender, it's best to delete it.
4. Use Strong Passwords: Protect your accounts with strong, unique passwords. Consider using a password manager to keep track of them all.
5. Backup Your Data: Regularly back up your data to an external drive or cloud storage. If a virus does slip through, you won't lose everything.
By following these steps, you can help keep your computer virus-free and running smoothly.
How To Remove Computer Viruses?
To remove a computer infection, you can choose from two options:
Do-it-yourself manual approach: This means you try to fix the problem on your own. Usually, you start by searching online for solutions. Then, you might have to do a lot of tasks to clean up your computer. It can take time and might need some experience to finish everything.
Get help from a reliable antivirus product: Another option is to use antivirus software. This software is designed to find and remove viruses from your computer. You just need to install it and let it do its job.
What is Antivirus?
Antivirus software is a program that searches for, detects, prevents, and removes software infections that can harm your computer. Antivirus can also detect and remove other dangerous software such as worms, adware, and other dangers. This software is intended to be used as a preventative measure against cyber dangers, keeping them from entering your computer and causing problems. Antivirus is available for free as well. Anti-virus software that is available for free only provides limited virus protection, whereas premium anti-virus software offers more effective security. For example Avast, Kaspersky, etc.
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Different Types of Computer Virus
Each type has a unique way of infecting and damaging computers. Here are a few examples:
| Type of Virus | Description |
|---|
| Boot Sector Virus | Attacks the part of the computer that starts up when you turn it on. Boot Sector Virus can also spread through devices like floppy disks. Often called a memory virus. |
| File Virus | Attaches to the end of a file and modifies how a program starts to run the virus's code first. |
| Email Virus | Hides in email messages and activates by clicking a link, opening an attachment, or interacting with the email. |
| Polymorphic Virus | Changes its form every time it installs to avoid detection by antivirus software. |
| Macro Virus | Activates by running a program capable of executing macros, often found in documents like spreadsheets. |
| Multipartite Virus | Infects the computer’s boot sector, memory, and files, making it difficult to detect and remove. |
| Encrypted Virus | Uses encryption to hide from antivirus software, includes a decryption algorithm to run before executing. |
| Stealth Virus | Modifies detection code, making it very difficult to detect. |
| Resident Virus | Saves itself in the computer's memory and can infect other files even after the original program stops. |
| Direct Action Virus | Tied to an executable file, it activates when the file is opened but does not delete files or affect system speed; blocks file access. |
| Browser Hijacker Virus | Changes browser settings without permission, can redirect to malicious sites. |
How do computer viruses spread?
Through the following activities you may get your device infected by the virus :
1. Sharing the data like music, files, and images with each other.
2. If you open a spam email or an attachment in an email that is sent by an unknown person.
3. Downloading the free games, toolbars, media players, etc.
4. Visiting a malicious website.
5. Installing pirated software(s) etc.
Examples of Computer Viruses
A computer virus is a type of software designed to spread from one computer to another, similar to how a cold spreads between people. Just like a cold virus can make us sick, a computer virus can harm a computer’s performance and security. Here are some common examples of computer viruses:
| Virus Name | Description |
|---|
| Morris Worm | One of the first and most widespread computer viruses, the Morris Worm was a self-replicating program that spread across the early Internet in 1988, causing delays and crashes on many devices. |
| Nimda | Appearing in 2001, Nimda targeted web servers and computers running Microsoft Windows. It spread through various methods, infecting quickly and widely. |
| ILOVEYOU | In 2000, the ILOVEYOU worm spread through emails disguised as love confessions. It overwrote data and caused extensive damage. |
| SQL Slammer | This fast-spreading computer worm emerged in 2003, exploiting a vulnerability in Microsoft SQL Server. It caused significant network congestion and disrupted Internet services. |
| Stuxnet | Developed in 2010, Stuxnet was a sophisticated worm aimed at damaging industrial control systems, particularly Iran's nuclear facilities. It exploited zero-day vulnerabilities. |
| CryptoLocker | CryptoLocker, a ransomware Trojan from 2013, infected hundreds of thousands of computers, encrypted victims' files, and demanded a ransom to unlock them. |
| Conficker | First detected in 2008, Conficker exploited weaknesses in Windows operating systems, creating a large botnet and causing widespread infections. |
| Tinba | Discovered in 2012, Tinba is a banking Trojan that primarily targets financial institutions to steal login credentials and banking information. |
| Shlayer | Since 2018, Shlayer has been a macOS-specific Trojan spreading adware and unwanted programs through fake software updates and downloads. |
These examples show how diverse computer viruses can be in their methods of infection and damage. Knowing about them can help you understand the importance of having reliable antivirus software and practicing safe browsing habits.
Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding what a computer virus is and recognizing the dangers it poses is crucial for keeping your data safe. These viruses are designed to infect, replicate, and damage the functioning of computers. Protecting your computer with antivirus software, being cautious with email attachments, and avoiding suspicious websites are essential steps to prevent virus infections. By staying informed and attentive, you can help safeguard your computer from the potential destruction caused by computer viruses.
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What is Rogue DHCP Server Attack?Rogue DHCP server attacks are gaining popularity but can be mitigated. The hacker sets up a rogue DHCP server and creates an IP address conflict by broadcasting a duplicate IP address. Hackers infiltrate a network by attacking the wireless router, which they do with ARP poisoning in order to inject
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What is ARP Spoofing Attack?Spoofing is a type of attack in which hackers gain access to the victim's system by gaining the trust of the victim (target user) to spread the malicious code of the malware and steal data such as passwords and PINs stored in the system.In Spoofing, psychologically manipulating the victim is the mai
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How to Prevent DNS Poisoning and Spoofing?The domain name system, or DNS, is a naming system for computers, services, and other internet resources that is hierarchical in nature. It's essentially the internet's phone book. Each domain name has a corresponding set of ten or so numbers that make up the domain name's IP address. Simple, user-f
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DNS Spoofing or DNS Cache poisoningPrerequisite - Domain Name Server Before Discussing DNS Spoofing, First, discuss what is DNS.A Domain Name System (DNS) converts a human-readable name (such as www.geeksforgeeks.org) to a numeric IP address. The DNS system responds to one or more IP-address by which your computer connects to a websi
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How to Detect Sniffer in Your Network?Sniffers are software or hardware devices that can be used for wiretapping over a computer network, such as LAN or WAN. They are used to collect data by listening and capturing IP packets. These devices usually have the ability of recording data which includes email, chat, web browsing, and informat
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Mitigation of DHCP Starvation AttackIn a DHCP starvation attack, an attacker creates spoofed DHCP requests with the goal of consuming all available IP addresses that a DHCP server can allocate. This attack targets DHCP servers. The attack could deny service to authorized network users. In other words, a malicious cyberattack that targ
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Social Engineering
What is Social Engineering? Working, Types, Prevention and ImpactSocial Engineering is an umbrella term for multiple malicious activities done by cyber criminals over the internet through human interaction. It doesn't involve the use of technical hacking techniques. Attackers use psychology and manipulation to trick users into performing actions that could compro
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What is Insider Attack?Cyber attacks on organizations are increasing both in number and magnitude. Often carried out by attackers with intentions to harm an organization, gain financial benefits, pursue political motives, spread terror, etc., these attacks always cost organizations in one form or another. Cyber security i
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What is an Impersonation Attack?An impersonation attack is a threat where hackers impersonate trusted people or organizations—such as your boss, bank, or a well-known service used by companies, to the trick victims so that they can give sensitive information, funds, or access to systems. Unlike classical malware-based attacks (e.g
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What are Tailgating?Tailgating is a term that refers to the practice of parking along the side of a road, usually by an open field or parking lot. Tailgaters are not only prohibited from entering the highway itself, but also have no right to drive on it at all. The term “tailgater†comes from tail-end Charlie, which me
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How Hackers Use Social Engineering to Get Passwords on Facebook?Social engineering is a powerful method for hackers to exploit computer systems without the use of malware or computer hacking tools. To carry out a successful social engineering hack, ethical hackers need to understand how to effectively use social media and human interaction to obtain sensitive in
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Pretexting in Social EngineeringPretexting is a social engineering technique that's used by hackers, spammers, and pranksters to assume and exploit the trust of an individual. It's been defined as the act of taking on an identity (usually those of a trusted person, such as a customer service representative) for the purpose of gain
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Credit Card FraudsThis era belongs to technology where technology becomes a basic part of our lives whether in business or home which requires connectivity with the internet and it is a big challenge to secure these units from being a sufferer of cyber-crime. Wireless credit card processing is a tremendously new serv
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Active Social Engineering Defense (ASED)A proactive tactic called Active Social Engineering Defense (ASED) is used to lessen the risk of being the target of social engineers. We must first comprehend social engineering in order better to comprehend active social engineering defense (ASED). Social Engineering Attack:Without the use of malw
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Cyber Crime - Identity TheftIdentity Theft also called Identity Fraud is a crime that is being committed by a huge number nowadays. Identity theft happens when someone steals your personal information to commit fraud. This theft is committed in many ways by gathering personal information such as transactional information of an
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Penetration Testing - Software EngineeringPenetration testing, or pen testing, is a practice where a simulated cyber attack is conducted on your computer systems to find and fix any weak spots before real attackers can exploit them. It focuses on web application security, where testers try to breach parts like APIs and servers to uncover vu
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Denial-of-Service
Distributed Denial of Service DDoS attackImagine a scenario where you are visiting some websites and one of them seems to be a little slow. You might blame their servers for improving their scalability as they might be experiencing a lot of user traffic on their site. Most of the sites already take this issue into account beforehand. Chanc
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What are Bandwidth Attacks?Bandwidth attacks in ethical hacking target a network's bandwidth, and by extension, its available computing resources. A hacker can overload a network by sending a high number of packets to the computer or server at once. The processing power and memory in the system is limited and once it reaches
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HTTP Flood AttackCyber crimes are increasing with the growing demand for the internet. With an increasing number of cybercrime cases reported each year, awareness of cyberattacks is very important. Cyber crimes/cyberattacks are done by hackers who unethically want to breach user data and steal sensitive information
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ICMP Flood DDoS AttackIn today's world, Denial of Service (DoS) and Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks have become a major threat to present computer networks. DDoS is a kind of attack in which an attacker targets the victim's network resources such as bandwidth or memory so that the victim may stop responding
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Ping Flood AttackA Ping Flood Attack, or ICMP Attack (Internet Control Message Protocol Attack), is a type of offensive cyberattack utilized to attack the targeted device—computer, server, or network—with a flood of false requests. It is a Denial of Service (DoS) attack, as it is intended to disrupt normal operation
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What is a Permanent DoS (PDoS) Attack?In today's modern world, we often come across the term Cybercrime or Cyberattacks very frequently. With the increasing demand for the internet, cybercrime occurrence has taken a great spike. Cyber crimes are crimes involving cyber technology/computer networks. Cyberattacks are extremely dangerous as
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What is Phlashing?Phlashing is a type of Denial of Service (DoS) Attack, also known as a Permanent Denial of Service Attack (PDoS) which is very severe because there is no way to undo this attack's consequences as it damages/corrupts the system to such an extreme level that there is no other way except to replace or
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