How does a Computer viruses work?

Curtis Josef: 2

Elden Dedon: A virus is a program that can multiply itself and spread within the user's operating system. A virus infects/attaches itself to system files. Some viruses may do dangerous things like modifying or deleting system files while others can do a seemingly harmless thing like playing a piece of music. But all viruses should be deleted because of their ability to multiply and infect other files. Worms are a sub-category of viruses. Worms are not file infectors. They spread through email, changing a Pen Drives auto run system to open a malicious file and many other tactics. The main purpose of a worm is to spread themselves to another computer. Trojan Horses are programs that pretend to do something good but in fact, performs malicious deeds. Like when my computer was once infected by a Win32:Zlob-CVB{Trj}, it also downloaded and INSTALLED this unwanted file into my computer called Virus Heat 4.4. Virus Heat 4.4 claimed to be an anti-virus. I wa! s foolish to believe that it was an anti-virus and uninstalled my avast! Even after a Trojan Horse is installed, it'll still act innocent because they are convincing you into keeping that malicious program. So Virus Heat 4.4 is a Trojan Horse because it acts like an anti-virus but is actually a Malicious software. Therefore, a trojan horse may be a virus, worm or (most of the time) spyware. Spywares are programs that gather info from your computer and sell them online. Examples of data spyware sells are your browsing habits, your email address & password & worst of all but very rare, your credit card details. A Rootkit is a collection of Malware that allows an intruder to access an Administrator or possibly a whole network! Rootkits are very well hidden in operating systems, applications and drivers making them hard to detect and remove by common anti-virus software. The anti-virus softwares I know that can remove rootkits are AVG (Not the free version) and avast! (Free and! Paid version). Adwares can be good or bad. Adwares are advert! ising programs. A good adware can be removed. They ask for your permission before installing and don't do advertising that will lead you to sites that could harm your computer. A bad adware is the total opposite. But I recommend not to keep any adwares in your computer as it slows down your computer with pop-up windows which you would most probably close before even reading it (Who wants to read them?). All these softwares (viruses, worms, trojan horses, spyware and adware) are categorized under Malicious Software or more commonly known as Malware....Show more

Elbert Donatelli: There are several types and methods.The early versions attached themselves to an executable program. Whenever you ran the program you loaded the virus into RAM - the main memory area.If you have to time to do some research, I would start with Wikipedia .http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=wikipedia+com......Show more

Arnulfo Seegars: 1. Computer viruses are programs containing "maliciou! s code" or code that intends to harm or hinder the smooth working of your computer.2. Computer viruses are transferred from an infected computer through CDs,USB drives or even through the internet by visiting infected sites. 3. But those are not necessarily viruses. But are called Malware or Adware that collect your personal informartion.4. You may lose confidential data present in your system.5. Your personal information may be known to someone else6. Someone might be able to access your computer remotely via the internet.7. Your computer might slow down.Hope all this information helps you. And if it does, please mark my answer as the best one!!:-) Happy Computing!!...Show more