Basic Computer Viruses

Computer Viruses

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What is a Computer Virus?

• A computer virus is a computer program that can copy itself and infect a computer without the permission or knowledge of the owner.
• One of the first detected virus was the Creeper virus in the early 70’s
• Before computer networks became widespread, most viruses spread on removable media, particularly floppy disk.

Basic Computer Viruses

• Trojan Horses
• appears as interesting program file but when installed it allows intruders to access and read your files
• Worms
• virus that copies and multiplies itself by using computer networks and security flaws
• E-mail Viruses
• use e-mail messages to spread which allow it to automatically forward itself to thousands of people