computer virus is a computer program that can copy itself and infect a computer. The term "virus" is also
commonly but erroneously used to refer to other types of malware, adware, and spyware programs that
do not have the reproductive ability. A true virus can only spread from one computer to another (in
some form of executable code) when its host is taken to the target computer; for instance because a user
sent it over a network or the Internet, or carried it on a removable medium such as a floppy disk, CD,
DVD, or USB drive. Viruses can increase their chances of spreading to other computers by infecting
files on a network file system or a file system that is accessed by another computer.
As stated above, the term "computer virus" is sometimes used as a catch-all phrase to include all types
of malware, adware, and spyware programs that do not have the reproductive ability. Malware includes
computer viruses, worms, trojans, most rootkits, spyware, dishonest adware, crimeware, and other
malicious and unwanted software, including true viruses. Viruses are sometimes confused with computer
worms and Trojan horses, which are technically different. A worm can exploit security vulnerabilities to
spread itself automatically to other computers through networks, while a Trojan is a program that
appears harmless but hides malicious functions. Worms and Trojans, like viruses, may harm a computer
system's data or performance. Some viruses and other malware have symptoms noticeable to the
computer user, but many are surreptitious or simply do nothing to call attention to themselves. Some
viruses do nothing beyond reproducing themselves.
commonly but erroneously used to refer to other types of malware, adware, and spyware programs that
do not have the reproductive ability. A true virus can only spread from one computer to another (in
some form of executable code) when its host is taken to the target computer; for instance because a user
sent it over a network or the Internet, or carried it on a removable medium such as a floppy disk, CD,
DVD, or USB drive. Viruses can increase their chances of spreading to other computers by infecting
files on a network file system or a file system that is accessed by another computer.
As stated above, the term "computer virus" is sometimes used as a catch-all phrase to include all types
of malware, adware, and spyware programs that do not have the reproductive ability. Malware includes
computer viruses, worms, trojans, most rootkits, spyware, dishonest adware, crimeware, and other
malicious and unwanted software, including true viruses. Viruses are sometimes confused with computer
worms and Trojan horses, which are technically different. A worm can exploit security vulnerabilities to
spread itself automatically to other computers through networks, while a Trojan is a program that
appears harmless but hides malicious functions. Worms and Trojans, like viruses, may harm a computer
system's data or performance. Some viruses and other malware have symptoms noticeable to the
computer user, but many are surreptitious or simply do nothing to call attention to themselves. Some
viruses do nothing beyond reproducing themselves.
| Web site contents � Copyright Rickies Computer Services 2002-2020, All rights reserved. |


