What are virus definitions in computer

A computer virus is a malicious piece of computer code designed to spread from device to device. A subset of malware, these self-copying threats are usually designed to damage a device or steal data.

Think of a biological virus – the kind that makes you sick. It’s persistently nasty, keeps you from functioning normally, and often requires something powerful to get rid of it. A computer virus is very similar. Designed to replicate relentlessly, computer viruses infect your programs and files, alter the way your computer operates or stop it from working altogether.

What does a computer virus do?

Some computer viruses are programmed to harm your computer by damaging programs, deleting files, or reformatting the hard drive. Others simply replicate themselves or flood a network with traffic, making it impossible to perform any internet activity. Even less harmful computer viruses can significantly disrupt your system’s performance, sapping computer memory and causing frequent computer crashes.

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In 2013, the botnet virus Gameover ZueS was discovered to use peer-to-peer downloading sites to distribute ransomware and commit banking fraud. While tens of thousands of computer viruses still roam the internet, they have diversified their methods and are now joined by a number of malware variants like worms, Trojans, and ransomware.

How does a computer get a virus?

Even if you’re careful, you can pick up computer viruses through normal Web activities like:  

  • Sharing music, files, or photos with other users

  • Visiting an infected website

  • Opening spam email or an email attachment

  • Downloading free games, toolbars, media players and other system utilities

  • Installing mainstream software applications without thoroughly reading license agreements

How do computer viruses spread?

Viruses can be spread several ways, including via networks, discs, email attachments or external storage devices like USB sticks. Since connections between devices were once far more limited than today, early computer viruses were commonly spread through infected floppy disks.

Today, links between internet-enabled devices are for common, providing ample opportunities for viruses to spread. According to the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, infected email attachments are the most common means of circulating computer viruses. Most, but not all, computer viruses require a user to take some form of action, like enabling “macros” or clicking a link, to spread.

What are the symptoms of a computer virus?

Your computer may be infected if you recognize any of these malware symptoms:  

  • Slow computer performance

  • Erratic computer behavior

  • Unexplained data loss

  • Frequent computer crashes

How are computer viruses removed?

Antiviruses have made great progress in being able to identify and prevent the spread of computer viruses. When a device does become infected, though, installing an antivirus solution is still your best bet for removing it. Once installed, most software will conduct a “scan” for the malicious program. Once located, the antivirus will present options for its removal. If this is not something that can be done automatically, some security vendors offer a technician’s assistance in removing the virus free of charge.

Examples of computer viruses

In 2013, the botnet virus Gameover ZueS was discovered to use peer-to-peer downloading sites to distribute ransomware and commit banking fraud. While tens of thousands of computer viruses still roam the internet, they have diversified their methods and are now joined by several malware variants like:

  • Worms - A worm is a type of virus that, unlike traditional viruses, usually does not require the action of a user to spread from device to device.

  • Trojans - As in the myth, a Trojan is a virus that hides within a legitimate-seeming program to spread itself across networks or devices.

  • Ransomware - Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts a user’s files and demands a ransom for its return. Ransomware can be, but isn’t necessarily, spread through computer viruses.

Computer virus protection

When you arm yourself with information and resources, you’re wiser about computer security threats and less vulnerable to threat tactics. Take these steps to safeguard your PC with the best computer virus protection:  

  • Use antivirus protection and a firewall

  • Get antispyware software

  • Always keep your antivirus protection and antispyware software up-to-date

  • Update your operating system regularly

  • Increase your browser security settings

  • Avoid questionable Websites

  • Only download software from sites you trust.

  • Carefully evaluate free software and file-sharing applications before downloading them.  

  • Don't open messages from unknown senders

  • Immediately delete messages you suspect to be spam

An unprotected computer is like an open door for computer viruses. Firewalls monitor Internet traffic in and out of your computer and hide your PC from online scammers looking for easy targets. Products like Webroot Internet Security Complete and Webroot Antivirus provide complete protection from the two most dangerous threats on the Internet – spyware and computer viruses. They prevent viruses from entering your computer, stand guard at every possible entrance of your computer and fend off any computer virus that tries to open, even the most damaging and devious strains.  

While free antivirus downloads are available, they just can't offer the computer virus help you need to keep up with the continuous onslaught of new strains. Previously undetected forms of polymorphic malware can often do the most damage, so it’s critical to have up-to-the-minute, guaranteed antivirus protection.

What are virus definitions in computer

  • Meanings
  • Synonyms
  • Sentences

A computer virus is a small software program that can spread from one computer system to another and cause interferences with computer operations. A computer virus has the capacity to corrupt or to delete data on your computer and it can use an e-mail program to spread the virus to other email addresses in your online address book. In the worst case scenario, it can even delete everything on your hard disk.

(computing) A program which can covertly transmit itself between computers via networks (especially the Internet) or removable storage such as CDs, USB drives, floppy disks, etc., often causing damage to systems and data.

Viruses operate in a multitude of ways. Some will stay active only when the application to which it is attached is running. Others will be inactive once the computer is turned off, while some will run every time you turn your computer on after it has infected the network or system files. There are some indicators that will tell you that your computer is infected:

To safeguard your files and to protect your computer, take time to understand computer viruses and what you should avoid doing to save your system from the virus. Be sure to always turn on the firewall, keep your computer’s operating system updated, update your antivirus software, and use updated antispyware programs.

Computer viruses are easily spread through the use of attachments in various email messages or via messages from instant messaging; so, you must never open unexpected email attachments unless you know and trust whoever sent the message. Be very careful as computer viruses can be easily disguised as ordinary-looking attachments or even as attractive images, funny graphics, cards, video, and audio files. Computer viruses can also spread through downloads you do while online. They can be hidden in software, especially in pirated items, or in other programs and files which you are downloading.

In the same way as viruses harm peoples' bodies, computer viruses can do considerable damage to computer systems. Viruses are infections. Computer infections can come in several forms and your computer can "catch" one in several ways:

Viruses in general, start working and spreading once you start using the application or program to which the virus is attached. For instance, a program that has a virus in it will place the virus in the system’s memory each time that program is run. Once the virus is in the memory, one of several things can happen. First, it can be programmed to attach itself to other programs and applications, folders, or disks. Second, if given the chance, it can infect a network.

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