Chapter 2 (Computer Virus)

Answers
1. Fill in the blanks:-
(a) Spammer

(b) File injector

(c) Google Drive

2. Select the most suitable alternative:-

(a) (ii) https

(b) (ii) Antivirus

(c) (i) Worms

3. Answer the following questions:-

(a) What is computer Virus?

Ans: Computer virus (Vital information resources under seize) is a type of unwanted
malicious software that infects or corrupts the files and hampers the functioning of a computer
system. Examples of some common viruses are Ransomeware, Koobface, CiaDoor, Bro_Act,
Byte Bandit, Brain, IoT Botnets etc.

(b) How ‘Boot Sector Virus’ infects the computer?

Ans: A boot sector virus gains complete control over the Master Boot Record (MBR). The
MBR is the first sector of the hard disk drive that stores the information about loading the
operating system into the main memory. The computer virus/malware replaces the location
and information of the operating system in order to stop it from loading into the main memory
resulting into errors during booting.

(c) What is ‘Program File Virus’? How does it infect the executable files?
Ans: A program file infecting virus is a type of malware that infects the executable files with
the intention of causing permanent damage or making them useless.
A file infecting virus overwrites the code or inserts infected code into the source of an
executable file. When such programs are executed, the viruses get activated and the files are
damaged.
(d) Explain the symptoms of a Virus Infection in Computer.
Ans: The characteristics and symptoms shown by computer when attacked by a virus are:
Slowdown- A sudden change in the processing speed of a computer, as virus has the tendency
to slow down the processing abruptly.
Pop-ups- Unexpected pop-ups which appear on the system are a typical sign of a spyware
infection. It usually comes in bundles with other malware which could be more destructive.
Crash- Viruses can damage the hard disk of computer such as frequent crashing of system or
BSOD (Blue screen of death).
Running Out of Storage Space- A virus may install its copies or replicate unwanted files and
occupy a huge space.
Loss of Files- Some viruses may delete files of computer system.
Unusual activity of messages or programs- Some viruses may lead to automatic opening or
closing of a program, restarting of a computer abruptly and opening of strange windows during
the process of booting.
Unusual Network Activity- When a computer system is infected, it may result into an unusual
network activity such as excessive transfer of data even when all the applications are closed or
even losing connectivity in the network.
(e) Explain common ways to prevent Virus infection.

Ans: Some of the popular preventive measures are:

Download from trusted website- Always download the content from a genuine secured
website. The web addresses of such websites start with ‘https’.
Installations of Antivirus- There are antivirus software which is used to prevent the computer
from viruses and for cleaning the unwanted programs.
Antivirus are remedial software that scan, detect, clean and remove virus from a computer
system. Some antivirus also helps to recover the data which is lost.
Scanning and Cleaning of Hard Disk- If a user faces some unusual symptoms while operating a
computer, then it must be scanned and also cleaned as it may have been infected by a
malware.
 Update the Antivirus- Every minute or second a new virus is created but if some new virus is
developed after installation of the loaded antivirus, then it may not be recognized by the
loaded antivirus and therefore it may be unable to prevent or clean that virus. In that case the
existing antivirus has to be updated in order to install its latest virus signature.
4. Write short notes on:
(a) Master Boot Record- The Master Boot Record (MBR) is the first sector of the hard disk drive that
stores the information about loading the operating system into the main memory.
(b) Trojan Horse- It is a virus that silently infects a program of a host computer or steals information
through network. It is present in computer games, e-mails but it doesn’t replicate itself.

(c) Spyware- Spyware are the program which infects a computer and collect information from it
without taking the consent from the owner. It generally infects a computer system through
websites, e-mails or through a network of computer.

(d) Worms- Worms are the computer programs which are designed to slow down the functioning of a
computer once it gets infected. It replicates inside the computer system and It replicates inside the
computer system and makes multiple copies of itself and occupies a huge memory space in the storage
device. Worms spread most commonly in systems that are connected in a network.

Examples of worm are Linux.Ballpit, Bigen3, Morris worm, Mydoom etc.

5. Match the following (Correct answers are to be written side by side):

(a) AntiXE Boot Sector Virus

(b) Sunday Program File Virus

(c) Sasser Worm

(d) Unsolicited e-mail Spam