What is Computer Virus? Types, Symptoms & Protection

Have you ever wondered what makes your computer slow down, display strange messages, or stop working altogether? A small, unseen piece of code often causes these frustrating issues. This code is a computer virus. These programs are designed to cause damage, steal information, or take control of your system.

You need to know how these programs work to keep your system safe and ensure good computer viruses prevention. We will explain what a computer virus is, where it comes from, how it spreads, and what you can do to get the best computer viruses protection.

What is a Computer Virus?

A computer virus can be understood as a type of malicious software, known as malware. It attaches itself to another legitimate program or document. The virus then replicates itself and spreads to other files and systems. Computer viruses depend on a host program to execute and move around.

Computer Virus Description

The computer virus description implies that this code acts much like a biological virus. Just as a biological virus needs a host cell to reproduce, a computer virus needs a host file or program to execute and replicate. Once the virus attaches to an executable file, the program becomes infected. When you run the infected program, the virus's code runs, too. This action allows the virus to duplicate itself and spread.

It is important to note that a computer virus aims at causing harm. This harm can range from simple annoyance to complete system failure.

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Who Discovered Computer Virus?

Now, the question arises, who discovered computer virus as a concept? The term "computer virus" was formally coined in 1984 by computer scientist Fred Cohen. He defined a virus as "a program that can infect other programs by modifying them to include a possibly evolved copy of itself."

However, before Cohen's definition, the concept was explored. In 1971, the Creeper program (which was more of a self-replicating experiment than a malicious virus) appeared on the ARPANET. Creeper would travel from one system to another, displaying the message: "I'M THE CREEPER : CATCH ME IF YOU CAN." The program known as Reaper was then created to eliminate Creeper.

Also Read: What is Next-Gen Antivirus (NGAV)? UAE/GCC Trends & Protection

Who Created Computer Viruses?

The very first PC virus in the wild, called Elk Cloner, was created in 1982 by a 15-year-old named Rich Skrenta. This program attached itself to Apple II boot sectors and spread via floppy disks. Elk Cloner was relatively harmless, displaying a short poem after the system booted for the 50th time.

The first virus to spread widely on IBM computers was the Brain virus. The computer virus Brain appeared in 1986. Two Pakistani brothers, Basit and Amjad Farooq Alvi, created the computer virus Brain. They claimed they only intended to track illegal copies of their software. However, Brain soon spread globally, marking a major turning point in malicious software.

 How Computer Viruses Spread?

Computer viruses rely on human action to move from one system to another. They cannot start replicating on their own until a user executes the infected host file.

Let us now discuss how computer viruses spread:

1. Opening an Infected File: This is the most common way a computer virus spreads. When you open an infected attachment in an email or a program downloaded from an untrustworthy source, the virus's code executes.
2. Infected Storage Devices: If you insert an infected USB drive, CD, or external hard drive into your computer, the virus can copy itself to your system. The Elk Cloner virus spread this way.
3. Network Sharing: Viruses can travel across a network, especially in systems that use shared folders without proper computer viruses protection. When a user accesses an infected file on a shared network drive, the virus attempts to spread.
4. Malicious Websites: Some websites automatically start a download or run malicious code when a user visits them, a method known as a drive-by download. This can lead to a direct system infection.

Also Read: What is Web Application Firewall? | WAF Explained

How Many Types of Viruses are There?

Computer viruses types are numerous, but we can group them based on how they infect systems and what they aim to do. Understanding how many types of viruses are there helps you prepare for the different forms of threats.

Computer Viruses Types

1. Boot Sector Viruses: These viruses target the Master Boot Record (MBR) or the boot sector of a hard disk or removable storage device. They execute when you turn on the computer, before the operating system loads. The computer virus Brain is a classic example.
2. Program/File Infector Viruses: These viruses attach themselves to executable files, such as files ending in .exe or .com. When you run the host program, the virus activates and infects other executable files on the system.
3. Macro Viruses: These viruses are written in a macro language, such as Visual Basic for Applications (VBA). They infect files created by programs like Microsoft Word or Excel. When you open the infected document, the macro runs, and the virus spreads to other documents.
4. Multipartite Viruses: A single multipartite virus computer virus description shows that it can infect in multiple ways. They infect both executable files and the boot sector. This makes them much harder to remove completely. If you only clean the files, the virus can still reinfect the system from the boot sector.
5. Polymorphic Viruses: These viruses have the ability to change their code (mutate) each time they replicate. This is a form of camouflage. The constant changing of their signature makes detection by traditional signature-based antivirus software difficult.
6. Stealth Viruses: This type of virus attempts to hide itself from antivirus software. Stealth viruses ensure that when the operating system or antivirus program tries to read an infected file, the virus presents a clean version of the file instead of the infected one.

What a computer virus do to an infected system depends entirely on its design, but the goal is always malicious. It includes slowing system performance and displaying annoying messages.

Computer Viruses Symptoms

It is crucial to recognize the computer viruses symptoms in your system. Detecting these issues early allows you to take corrective action before major damage occurs.

• Slowing System Performance: Your computer starts running significantly slower than usual. Programs take longer to open. Files take more time to save.
• Frequent System Crashes: The system locks up or crashes often, leading to the "Blue Screen of Death" in Windows.
• Unusual Messages: You see unexpected or strange error messages, pop-up windows, or graphics on your screen.
• Missing or Corrupted Files: Files disappear, or their contents become garbled. This happens because the virus overwrites or deletes your data.
• Changes to System Settings: Your browser homepage changes without your permission. New toolbars appear. Security settings become disabled.
• New, Unfamiliar Programs: You notice new icons or programs on your desktop or in your system list that you did not install.
• Disk Activity: Your hard drive light constantly flickers, even when you are not actively using the computer. This indicates a background process, possibly the virus, is running.
• Email Spam: Your contacts start receiving email messages from your account that you did not send. The virus uses your email to spread itself.

Also Read: What Is Spyware Software? Types, Signs & Removal Guide

Computer Viruses Protection and Prevention

Effective computer viruses protection requires a layered approach, combining specialized tools with safe user habits.

What is Computer Virus and Antivirus?

To get the best computer viruses protection, you need to understand the function of antivirus software. Antivirus software is a program designed to detect, prevent, and remove malicious software, including computer viruses, from a computer system.

Antivirus software works by:

1. Signature Detection: It scans files and compares their code signatures to a database of known computer viruses.
2. Heuristic Analysis: It looks for suspicious behavior or characteristics in a file, such as attempts to modify the operating system's files. This helps detect new, unknown viruses.
3. Real-time Protection: It constantly monitors the system for new infections and blocks malicious actions before they execute.

Computer Viruses Prevention Best Practices

You must implement these practices for strong computer viruses prevention:

1. Install and Update Antivirus Software: Always use a reputable, reliable antivirus program. You must ensure the program is set to update its virus definitions regularly. This provides protection against the latest threats.
2. Regular Software Updates: You should always update your operating system and all applications. Software updates often include security patches that close vulnerabilities computer viruses can exploit.
3. Be Careful with Email Attachments: Never open attachments from senders you do not know. Even if you know the sender, use caution with unexpected attachments. The virus often sends itself from a trusted contact's infected machine.
4. Use a Firewall: A firewall acts as a barrier between your computer and the internet. It monitors and filters incoming and outgoing network traffic, preventing unauthorized access.
5. Backup Your Data: Always maintain regular backups of your important data. If a virus completely damages your system, you can still restore your files from the clean backup.
6. Avoid Suspicious Websites: Never click on pop-up advertisements or download programs from unknown or untrustworthy websites.

Also Read: What is a Next Generation Firewall (NGFW)? Why UAE/GCC businesses need it?

Computer Virus vs. Other Malware

People often confuse computer viruses with other types of malicious software. While they all fall under the category of malware (malicious software), they have distinct differences.

Comparison of Malware Types

Conclusion

Your computer holds your memories, your work, and your personal data. You have the power to defend this valuable information. Do not wait for a virus to strike and delete what you value most. Take action now. Update your security software and commit to safe browsing practices. Your dedication to strong computer viruses protection ensures your data remains secure and your system runs as it should. We believe in providing you with the knowledge to make smart decisions about your security.

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Key Takeaways

So, with the above discussion, we can say that a computer virus is a serious threat to the stability of your digital life. You must always maintain computer viruses protection.

• A computer virus requires a host file and user action to execute and spread.
• The first widely spread virus was the Brain virus.
• Computer viruses types include Boot Sector, File Infector, and Polymorphic viruses.
• Computer viruses symptoms include slow speed, file corruption, and system crashes.
• The best computer viruses prevention strategy involves using updated antivirus software, keeping all your other software patched, and being cautious with files and websites.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is computer virus and antivirus?

The computer virus is malicious code that replicates itself and damages your system. Antivirus is security software that detects, prevents, and removes the virus from your computer.

Where does computer virus come from?

The computer virus comes from an infected source. It could be an infected email attachment, a downloaded file from an untrustworthy website, an infected USB drive, or an infected file on a shared network.

What computer virus do?

A computer virus can steal private information, delete or corrupt your files, slow down your computer's performance, display frustrating advertisements, and sometimes take full control of your computer for malicious activities.

Who make computer virus?

A virus creator, often called a malware author or hacker, is someone with programming knowledge who creates computer viruses with the intent to cause harm, make money illegally, or protest an organization. They often use high-level programming languages.

Why does computer virus protection play a vital role?

Computer viruses protection plays a vital role because it ensures the integrity of your personal and financial data. Protection maintains the speed and functionality of your system and prevents major damage that could lead to costly repairs or information loss.