COMPUTER VIRUSES

1. ¿What is a Virus and how they infect your computer?

A computer virus is a computer program that can spread across computers
and networks by making copies of itself, usually without the user’s
knowledge.

Viruses infect the computer OS by attaching themselves to other programs

or hide in code that is run automatically when you open certain types of files.

2. Origin of the first virus.

The first personal computer (PC) computer virus was created by Basit and
Amjad Farooq Alvi and was called “Brain.” The brother’s intentions with
the virus were simply to protect their own work from piracy and to target
those who infringed on their copyright. In this same timeframe, there was
another variant of the source code referred to as the Ashar virus, which
may have been authored prior to the Brain malware, but was not publicly
documented until later.

3. Types of viruses.
Macro Viruses

These viruses infect the files created using some applications or programs
that contain macros such as doc, pps, xls and mdb. They automatically
infect the files with macros and also templates and documents that are
contained in the file. They hide in documents shared through e-mail and
networks.

Memory Resident Viruses

They usually fix themselves inside the computer memory. They get
activated every time the OS runs and end up infecting other opened files.
They hide in RAM.
Overwrite Viruses

These types of viruses delete any information in a file they infect, leaving
them partially or completely useless once they are infected. Once in the
computer, they replaces all the file content but the file size doesn’t change.

Direct Action Viruses

These viruses mainly replicate or take action once they are executed. When
a certain condition is met, the viruses will act by infecting the files in the
directory or the folder specified in the AUTOEXEC.BAT. The viruses are
generally found in the hard disk’s root directory, but they keep on changing
location.

Directory Virus

Also known as cluster virus or file system virus. They infect the computer’s
directory by changing the path indicating file location. They are usually
located in the disk but affect the entire directory.

Web Scripting Virus

Most web pages include some complex codes in order to create an

interactive and interesting content. Such a code is often exploited to cause
certain undesirable actions. They mostly originate from the infected web
pages or browsers.

Multipartite Virus

These type of viruses spread in many different ways. Their actions vary
depending on the OS installed and presence of certain files. They tend to
hide in the computer’s memory but do not infect the hard disk.

FAT Viruses

These lardy viruses attack the file allocation table (FAT) which is the disc
part used to store every information about the available space, location of
files, unusable space etc.

These types of viruses infect files just like the direct action and the resident
types. Once inside the computer, they ‘accompany’ other existing files.
Polymorphic Virus

They encode or encrypt themselves in a different way every time they

infect your computer. They use different encryption and algorithms. This
makes it difficult for the antivirus software to locate them using signature
or string searches (since they are very different in each encryption).

This program is very similar to a virus and has the ability to self-replicate
leading to negative effects on your computer.

Trojans

Trojans can illegally trace important login details of users online. For
example E-Banking is very common among users, therefore, vulnerability
of tracing your login details whenever your PC is working without any
strong powerful antivirus installed.

Email Virus

This is a virus spread via an email. Such a virus will hide in an email and
when the recipient opens the mail.

Browser Hijacker

This virus can spread in many different ways including a voluntary

download. If infects certain browser functions especially in form of re-
directing the user automatically to certain sites.

Boot Infectors

They include the boot sector plus master boot record types. All the viral
codes can be separate location; however they infect the hard disks or the
floppy.
4. Virus risks.
A. The internet Downloaded programs or documents may be infected.
B. Documents and spreadsheet these can contain macro viruses, which
can infect and make changes to other documents or spreadsheets.
C. Programs that carry a virus can infect your machine as soon as you
run them.
D. Email can include infected attachments. If you double-click on an
infected attachment, you risk infecting your machine.
E. Floppy disks can have a virus in the boot sector. They can also hold
infected programs or documents.

5. Trojan horses and worms

Trojan horses are programs that do things that are not described in their
specifications.

Worms are programs that simply create exact copies of themselves and use
communications between computers to spread.

6. How to prevent viruses.

Make users aware of the risks tell everyone in the organization that they
are at risk if they swap floppy disks, download files from websites or open
email attachments.

Install anti-virus software and update it regularly Anti-virus programs

can detect and often disinfect viruses. If the software offers on-access virus
checking, use it. On-access checking protects users by denying access to

Keep backups of all your data make sure you have backups of all data
and software, including operating systems. If you are affected by a virus,
you can replace your files and programs with clean copies.
7. Who writes viruses and why.
Virus writers tend to be male, under 25 and single. Their self-esteem is
bound up with the approval of their peer group, or at least of a small
electronic community. Virus-writing exploits, like graffitti art, are a kind of
performance that wins the writer status.

Computer viruses are created:

A. To take control of a computer and use it for specific tasks

B. To generate money
C. To steal sensitive information (credit card numbers, passwords,
personal details, data etc.)
D. To prove a point, to prove it can be done, to prove ones skill or for
revenge purposes
E. To cripple a computer or network

8. What are Hoaxes.

A computer virus hoax is a message warning the recipients of a non-existent
computer virus threat. The message is usually a chain e-mail that tells the
recipients to forward it to everyone they know.

9. Top ten viruses.

1. Love Bug
2. Form
3. Kakworm
4. Anticmos
5. Melissa
6. New Zealand
7. Concept
8. CIH (Chernobyl)
9. Parity Boot
10. Happy99