The most dangerous PC viruses of all time
The most dangerous PC viruses of all time have caused devastation across the globe, costing billions of dollars in damage. The following is a list of the most destructive and costly viruses in history.
#1. ILOVEYOU
The ILOVEYOU virus was a computer worm that spread rapidly throughout the world in 2000. It caused an estimated $5.5 billion in damage, making it the most costly virus in history. The virus was spread through email, with the subject line “I Love You”. The email contained a attachment that, when opened, would infect the victim’s computer with the virus. The virus would then proceed to replicate itself and send itself out to everyone in the victim’s address book.
#2. Melissa
The Melissa virus was another computer worm that spread via email in 1999. It caused an estimated $80 million in damage. The virus was spread through email, with the subject line “Here is that document you asked for”. The email contained a attachment that, when opened, would infect the victim’s computer with the virus. The virus would then proceed to replicate itself and send itself out to the first 50 people in the victim’s address book.
#3. Mydoom
The Mydoom virus was a computer worm that spread in 2004. It caused an estimated $38 million in damage. The virus was spread through email, with the subject line “Hi, I’m your new friend”. The email contained a attachment that, when opened, would infect the victim’s computer with the virus. The virus would then proceed to replicate itself and send itself out to everyone in the victim’s address book.
#4. Sobig
The Sobig virus was a computer worm that spread in 2003. It caused an estimated $37 million in damage. The virus was spread through email, with the subject line “Hi, I’m your new friend”. The email contained a attachment that, when opened, would infect the victim’s computer with the virus. The virus would then proceed to replicate itself and send itself out to everyone in the victim’s address book.
#5. Sasser
The Sasser virus was a computer worm that spread in 2004. It caused an estimated $30 million in damage. The virus was spread through email, with the subject line “Hi, I’m your new friend”. The email contained a attachment that, when opened, would infect the victim’s computer with the virus. The virus would then proceed to replicate itself and send itself out to everyone in the victim’s address book.Extra resources
The top 20 most dangerous PC viruses
There are many viruses that can potentially harm your computer, and some are more dangerous than others. Here is a list of the 20 most dangerous viruses that can infect your PC:
1. WannaCry ransomware
WannaCry is a ransomware virus that surfaced in May 2017. It quickly spread around the world, encrypting victims’ files and demanding a ransom payment in order to decrypt them. WannaCry was particularly dangerous because it exploited a vulnerability in Windows, which allowed it to spread quickly and infect thousands of computers.
2. NotPetya
NotPetya is a ransomware virus that surfaced in June 2017. Like WannaCry, it quickly spread around the world and encrypted victims’ files. However, NotPetya was even more destructive than WannaCry, as it not only encrypts files but also overwrites the Master Boot Record, making it impossible to recover the files without paying the ransom.
3. Locky
Locky is a ransomware virus that has been active since February 2016. It is spread through spam emails, which contain an attachment with the virus. Locky will encrypt victims’ files and demand a ransom payment in order to decrypt them.
4. CryptXXX
CryptXXX is a ransomware virus that surfaced in April 2016. It is spread through exploit kits, which are used to deliver the virus to victims’ computers. CryptXXX will encrypt victims’ files and demand a ransom payment in order to decrypt them.
5. Cerber
Cerber is a ransomware virus that surfaced in March 2016. It is spread through email attachments and exploit kits. Cerber will encrypt victims’ files and demand a ransom payment in order to decrypt them.
6. TeslaCrypt
TeslaCrypt is a ransomware virus that emerged in February 2015. It is spread through exploit kits and email attachments. TeslaCrypt will encrypt victims’ files and demand a ransom payment in order to decrypt them.
7. CTB-Locker
CTB-Locker is a ransomware virus that emerged in September 2014. It is spread through email attachments and exploit kits. CTB-Locker will encrypt victims’ files and demand a ransom payment in order to decrypt them.
8. CryptoLocker
CryptoLocker is a ransomware virus that surfaced in September 2013. It is spread through email attachments and exploit kits. CryptoLocker will encrypt victims’ files and demand a ransom payment in order to decrypt them.
9. Reveton
Reveton is a ransomware virus that surfaced in 2012. It is spread through email attachments and exploit kits. Reveton will encrypt victims’ files and demand a ransom payment in order to decrypt them.
10. Zeus
Zeus is a Trojan horse virus that surfaced in 2007. It is spread through email attachments and exploit kits. Zeus will steal victims’ personal information and bank account details.
11. Sasser
Sasser is a worm virus that surfaced in 2004. It is spread through email attachments and exploit kits. Sasser will infect victims’ computers and then will try to spread itself to other computers on the network.
12. Blaster
Blaster is a worm virus that surfaced in 2003. It is spread through email attachments and exploit kits. Blaster will infect victims’ computers and then will try to spread itself to other computers on the network.
13. Code Red
Code Red is a worm virus that surfaced in 2001. It is spread through email attachments and exploit kits. Code Red will infect victims’ computers and then will try to spread itself to other computers on the network.
14. Melissa
Melissa is a virus that surfaced in 1999. It is spread through email attachments. Melissa will infect victims’ computers and then will email itself to the first 50 addresses in the victim’s Microsoft Outlook address book.
15. ILOVEYOU
ILOVEYOU is a virus that surfaced in 2000. It is spread through email attachments. ILOVEYOU will infect victims’ computers and then will email itself to the first 50 addresses in the victim’s Microsoft Outlook address book.
16. Anna Kournikova
Anna Kournikova is a virus that surfaced in 2001. It is spread through email attachments. Anna Kournikova will infect victims’ computers and then will email itself to the first 50 addresses in the victim’s Microsoft Outlook address book.
17. Sobig
Sobig is a virus that surfaced in 2003. It is spread through email attachments. Sobig will infect victims’ computers and then will email itself to the first 50 addresses in the victim’s Microsoft Outlook address book.
18. Mydoom
Mydoom is a virus that surfaced in 2004. It is spread through email attachments. Mydoom will infect victims’ computers and then will email itself to the first 50 addresses in the victim’s Microsoft Outlook address book.
19. Storm
Storm is a virus that surfaced in 2007. It is spread through email attachments. Storm will infect victims’ computers and then will email itself to the first 50 addresses in the victim’s Microsoft Outlook address book.
20. Conficker
Conficker is a virus that surfaced in 2008. It is spread through email attachments. Conficker will infect victims’ computers and then will try to spread itself to other computers on the network.
Visit malwarezero.org to learn more about most dangerous pc viruses. Disclaimer: We used this website as a reference for this blog post.