How computer viruses spread and how they are prevented
Computer viruses are malicious code that self-replicate and spread throughout a computer system. Infecting files and boot sectors, a virus can crash an entire network and cause irreparable damage to data and hardware. The most well-known type of virus is a Trojan horse, which is a malicious program that masquerades as a legitimate one. Other common types of viruses include worms, logic bombs, and spyware.
Viruses can spread in a number of ways. The most common is through email attachments. Since email is such a commonly used method of communication, it’s no surprise that viruses are often spread through email attachments. Another common method is through downloads. This can happen when you download an infected file from the Internet or when you download a file that contains a virus from an email attachment. Once the virus is on your computer, it can spread to other computers on your network. Finally, viruses can spread through removable media, such as USB drives, CDs, and DVDs. When you insert an infected USB drive into your computer, the virus can spread to your computer.
There are a few different ways to prevent a computer virus from infecting your computer. The best way to prevent viruses is to install an antivirus program and keep it up-to-date. Antivirus programs work by scanning files for malicious code and then quarantining or deleting the infected files. Another way to prevent viruses is to be careful about the emails you open and the files you download. Don’t open email attachments from people you don’t know, and be careful about the websites you visit. Only download files from trusted websites. Finally, keep your operating system and software up-to-date. Operating system and software updates often include security patches that can help prevent viruses from infecting your computer.Reference
How do computer viruses work?
Computer viruses are malicious software that self-replicate by inserting themselves into other executable code or documents. Once a virus infects a computer, it can spread to other computers quickly and cause a lot of damage.
Most viruses are designed to damage the computer by deleting files, corrupting data, or causing the computer to crash. Some viruses are designed to steal information, such as credit card numbers or login credentials. Others may simply display annoying or offensive messages.
Viruses can spread in a variety of ways. The most common is by email attachments. When someone opens an email attachment that contains a virus, the virus can automatically infect their computer. Once the virus is on the computer, it can spread to other computers on the same network.
Some viruses can also spread through USB devices or by infecting websites. When someone visits an infected website, the virus can automatically download and install itself on the person’s computer.
Viruses can be very difficult to remove from a computer. In some cases, the only way to remove a virus is to reinstall the operating system.
There are a few things you can do to protect your computer from viruses. First, install an antivirus program and run regular scans. Second, be careful about what emails you open and what websites you visit. Finally, don’t download files or programs from untrustworthy sources.
We used malwarezero.org to write this article about most deadly computer virus. Full Article.