A computer virus is a small program that can copy itself and infect a computer. The virus can spread to other computers by sending out copies of itself in an email or file.
Computer viruses are designed to damage or disable computers, but they may also do other things like steal passwords or personal information. The most widely known computer virus is probably the Melissa Virus that was discovered in 1983.
A computer worm is a type of computer virus that can spread from one computer to another without having to rely on human interaction. It travels between networks, where it copies itself, and often installs other programs that are capable of causing further damage.
The term is often used to refer to any type of computer virus, but more specifically it refers to a family of computer worms that can reproduce themselves autonomously on networked computers.
There are three types of worms: "infiltration" or "entry" worms, "incursion" worms and self-propagating code worms. These categories describe the way in which they gain access to a system without human interaction through security holes in the system.
There are many different types of computer viruses and worms, but some of the more common ones include:
Trojan horses: A Trojan horse is a type of virus that disguises itself as a legitimate program. When you install the program, the virus also installs and begins to spread.
Worms : Worms are a type of virus that can self-replicate and spread through a network. They can often be very destructive, causing computers to crash and files to be deleted.
Email viruses: Email viruses are a type of virus that spreads through email messages. They can often be very destructive, causing computers to crash and files to be deleted.
Macro viruses: Macro viruses are a type of virus that spreads through Microsoft Office documents. They are often very destructive, causing computers to crash and files to be deleted.
Ransomware: Ransomware is a type of virus that encrypts your files and holds them ransom until you pay a ransom fee.
Spyware: Spyware is a type of virus that collects information about you and your computer without your knowledge. It can often be very destructive, causing computers to crash and files to be deleted.
Adware: Adware is a type of virus that displays ads on your computer. It can often be very destructive, causing computers to crash and files to be deleted.
Boot sector viruses: Boot sector viruses are a type of virus that infects the boot sector of your hard drive. They are often very destructive, causing computers to crash and files to be deleted.
File infectors: File infectors are a type of virus that infects executable files. They are often very destructive, causing computers to crash and files to be deleted.
Multipartite viruses: Multipartite viruses are a type of virus that infects both the boot sector and executable files. They are often very destructive, causing computers to crash and files to be deleted.
Polymorphic viruses: Polymorphic viruses are a type of virus that changes its appearance every time it infects a computer. This makes them difficult to detect and remove.
Stealth viruses: Stealth viruses are a type of virus that hides itself from detection. They are often very difficult to remove.
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