COMPUTER

WHAT IS COMPUTER VIRUS?

A computer virus is a computer program that can copy itself and infect a computer
without permission or knowledge of the user. The term "virus" is also commonly used, albeit
erroneously, to refer to many different types of malware and adware programs. The original
virus may modify the copies, or the copies may modify themselves, as occurs in metamorphic
virus. A computer virus can only spread from one computer to another when its host is taken to
the uninfected computer, for instance by a user sending it over a network or the Internet, or by
carrying it on a removable medium such as a floppy disk, CD, or USB drive. Meanwhile
viruses can spread to other computers by infecting.
TYPES OF COMPUTER VIRUSES
1.

Boot sector viruses

A boot sector virus infects the boot sector of floppy disks or hard drives.
These blocks contain a small computer program that participates in starting the
computer. A virus can infect the system by replacing or attaching itself to these
blocks.
2.

Traditional file viruses

This group of viruses replicates when attached to MS-DOS program files
with the EXE or COM extensions. They cannot infect 32-bit EXE files used by
newer versions of MS Windows. This group of viruses can replicate over any
media that can transfer files, such as diskettes, local area networks, remote lines
etc.
3.
Document or macro viruses
Document or macro viruses are written in a macro language. Such languages
are usually included in advanced applications such as word processing and
spreadsheet programs.
4.

32-bit file viruses

Previous file viruses were made for 16-bit program files used by MS-DOS.

5.
Worms
Mail worms

A worm is by definition similar to a virus but more independent. The first

wave of worms was seen when Internet mail became a standard way to
communicate.
6.
Trojan horses
A Trojan is spread to other computers only through deliberate transfer by the users.
Backdoor Trojans
Backdoor Trojans are a special kind of Trojan that grant unauthorized access
to computer systems.
7.
Jokes
A joke program does something funny or tasteless, but does not harm the computer
environment. The effect may be music or sounds, video or animations, interactive
functions etc