The types of computer virus

Knowing the various types of computer viruses and how they work is vital to containing and eliminating them. A computer virus is a piece of code embedded in a legitimate program and is created with the ability to self-replicate infecting other programs on a computer. Just like how humans catch a cold or flu, it can remain dormant inside the system and gets activated when you least expect it.

A computer virus is developed to spread from one host to another and there are numerous ways on how your computer catches it. It can be through email attachments, file downloads, software installations, or unsecured links.

These viruses can steal your data such as passwords, hacked into your social media accounts or online banking accounts, and even wiped out all your data.

Cybercriminals are getting better and better at stealing our confidential data and viruses that are being created are evolving rapidly. There are millions of viruses around the world, but here are some common types you should be aware of:. A virus that attached itself to an executable program. It is also called a parasitic virus which typically infects files with. This type of virus is commonly found in programs such as Microsoft Word or Excel.

These viruses are usually stored as part of a document and can spread when the files are transmitted to other computers, often through email attachments. This virus targets and alters your browser setting. This virus can pose other threats such as changing the default home page of your browser.

Your individual solution will depend on factors like the size of your business, industry, organization type, and long-term business goals. The easiest way to illustrate multilayered computer virus protection, is by imagining each individual layer of cybersecurity as a slice of swiss cheese.

Each slice has a few holes in it, and as you stack slices on top of one another, you cover up the holes. Download the Essential Business Guide to Cybersecurity. Have you been noticing symptoms of a computer virus lately?

Are you looking to reevaluate your current cybersecurity solution? We can help. Get in Touch. Search for: Search Button. Published: June 27, Share This Blog. Get Tech Tips. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Typical signs of computer virus infections include: Ongoing crashes and blue screen errors Slow performance Missing files Low storage Unexpected behavior Constant browser pop-ups Unidentifiable programs Increased network activity Disabled security software.

More High Touch Videos. Here, we illustrate how you can recognize nine common computer viruses. Costs of Cyberattacks. It takes days on average to identify and contain a breach. Repeat Computer Viruses. In a survey of 1, security professionals, Cybereason found that 4 in 5 businesses that chose to pay ransoms suffered a second ransomware attack. The best way to fight them is to build resilience with cyber security services.

Recognizing modern threats becomes easier when you understand background and context. Moreover, as computers became more complex, they could then self-replicate. While Neumann did not call it a virus, he did describe the automated and self-sustaining nature effectively. Bob Thomas, who worked at BBN Technologies, developed the virus when he was demonstrating mobile applications. Ray also created the Reaper, which was designed to find any computer infected by the Creeper.

As a result, the Reaper is considered the first anti-virus solution. The only way to catch the Elk Cloner was to insert an infected floppy disk, which usually had a game on it. The Elk Cloner would infect the Apple II computer and any other floppy disks inserted into the computer ensuring its spread.

After you booted the infected game 50 times, your screen would display this message,. It seems scary, and it did scare folks at the time. But, it was created as a prank by thenyear-old Rich Skrenta. Fortunately, if you rebooted the computer, the virus would be gone.

A virus can then spread through a computer system or network using end-user authorizations. Every infected program also acts as a virus. The creators could use Brain to track infected devices.

Brain did take advantage of an exploit in the Microsoft OS. Nonetheless, it was not designed to be a virus. In the code, they left their addresses and phone number so they could remedy infected machines.

Unfortunately, the floppy disk it came on was stolen so often, they were overwhelmed with fix requests.