Common Types and Symptoms of a Computer Virus
HomeKnowledge Base Common Types and Symptoms of a Computer Virus
In this article we will go through the different types of common computer infections and the most common signs that your computer is infected
What is a virus?
A computer virus is a program or piece of code that is loaded onto your computer without your knowledge and runs against your wishes. Viruses can also replicate themselves. All computer viruses are man-made. A simple virus that can make a copy of itself over and over again is relatively easy to produce. Even such a simple virus is dangerous because it will quickly use all available memory and bring the system to a halt. An even more dangerous type of virus is one capable of transmitting itself across networks and bypassing security systems.
What is the virus’s goal?
The goal of a virus depends entirely on the person that made it and their intentions at the time. For example, A virus might be made to take advantage of a very specific exploit that is only available on very few computers after certain conditions have been meet, but the systems that have this exploit/hole might be systems that keep very valuable and sensitive information or run a widely used service for lots of other people. In this case the person making the virus would design to take advantage of the exploit to gain access to the data or to control the service that is being provided. This virus would be useless on another computer that is used for a different reason.
These days for people making the virus, they usually want it to be as widespread as possible. To do that they first target the Operating System that is the most used in the world which is Microsoft Windows. This is why there are so many virus’s for Windows Based computers and why it’s so important to take precautions to protect your computer from these viruses.