Virus Attacks

Virus Definition

In computer security technology, a virus is a self-replicating/self-reproducing-automation program that spreads by inserting copies of itself into other executable code or documents. A computer virus behaves in a way similar to a biological virus, which spreads by inserting itself into living cells. Extending the analogy, the insertion of a virus into the program is termed as an "infection", and the infected file (or executable code that is not part of a file) is called a "host".

Originally, the term computer virus was used for a program which infected other executable software, while a worm transmitted itself over a network to infect computers. More recently, the words are often used interchangeably.

Today, some draw the distinction between viruses and worms by saying that a virus requires user intervention to spread, whereas a worm spreads automatically. This means that infections transmitted by email, which rely on the recipient opening an attachment to infect the system, are classed as viruses.

It is possible for a malware creator to profit by simply stealing from the person whose computer is infected. Stealing here can mean stealing information such as passwords, or outright financial theft. Some malware programs install a key logger, which copies down the user's keystrokes when entering a password, credit card number, or other useful information. This is then transmitted to the malware creator automatically, enabling credit card fraud and other theft.