This document provides basic information about viruses. Other documents in
the Virus Protection series build on this information.
Definitions
Attachment: program or document sent with an email message that must be opened separately from the original message.
Variant:
computer virus with minor programming code changes that allow it to go
undetected by antivirus software, similar to a medical virus that has
mutated.
Virus: unwanted program that infects your computer and has the potential to spread to other computers and networks.
Concept
Programmers
create viruses as a form of computer vandalism. The effects of viruses
can vary greatly. Some are merely annoying, such as those that alter
format codes in text documents. Other viruses can disable whole
computer networks by replicating themselves to the point of overloading
computer memory capacities, causing them to crash.
Process
Viruses are most commonly spread by programs and documents attached to
email messages. Viruses can similarly be transferred from one computer
to another by sharing disks or CDs that have been infected. Some viruses
are coded to enter the host computer's email address book and send copies
of themselves to everyone listed within.
Important note: Infected files, whether from email, disk, or CD,
must be downloaded and opened onto a host computer before viruses can
be activated. Viruses remain dormant until the files they are infecting
have been opened.
Infamous Viruses in Tech History
|
Name |
Description |
Transmission
Method |
Status | |
I Love You
(Love Bug) |
The most destructive
and costly virus to date. Over one million
computers infected and 0+ million in damage
in its first six hours - damages reached
.7 billion after only five days. |
Disguised as
an email sent from an associate with an
important attachment. |
Original and
variants on high alert status | |
Melissa |
Alters text
in Word documents and sends copies of itself
to people in hosts" Microsoft Outlook address
books. Not a particularly harmful virus,
just very annoying. |
Disguised as
an email sent from an associate with an
important attachment. |
Original version
contained, but copycats appear frequently | |
ExploreZip |
Deletes all
Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files
on the infected computer and any other computers
it is networked with. |
Disguised as
an email sent from an associate with an
important attachment. |
Largely contained | |
Chernobyl |
Blocks access
to files. In extreme cases, some newer computers
can be so completely disabled that professional
technical assistance is required. |
Originally downloaded
from the Internet, but can now be spread
by sharing files. |
Variants still
active |
|
