Computer Virus & its Types

COMPUTER VIRUS

Computer virus is a type of destructive program that can replace itself by making copies of itself without the knowledge of the user.

Computer virus is a term given to man-made computer software or system to destroy computer programs or computer.

The virus destroys data, useful application, programs, and even the operating system. Computer virus hides themselves in other host files.

 They are not visible to us. The viruses can corrupt, delete files and programs.

Computer Viruses affect the computer in many ways. It can destroy data, files or programs and cause the system malfunction. The destructive effects of viruses are different according to their types.

Characteristics of Computer Virus

Some important characteristics of virus are:

1. The virus can easily transfer from one file or computer to another.
2. The virus can multiply itself.
3. The virus can hide from users.

Types of Virus

The different types of viruses on the basis of their infected area are:

• Macro virus
• Boot sector virus
• File infect virus
• Self-modified virus
• Multi-party virus
• Script virus

1.   Macro Virus

Macro virus resides inside files. Macro virus is commands which are designed to infect a specific type of document file such as MS-Word or MS-excel support. At present, Microsoft company have designed macro virus protection tools. The examples of such viruses are Melissa, I love you etc.

2.   Boot Sector Virus

The boot sector virus infects the information system during the start-up process. It tends to create the bad sector of the hard drive or floppy disk. The virus infects the system by using infected diskettes during start up. The entire computer system becomes slow by reading the virus from the disk boot sector. The examples of such viruses are C- Brain, Stone, Disk Killer etc.

3.   File Infector Virus

File infector virus infect application programs. They may attach themselves to any executable file, usually.COM, EXE files. An application program infector takes control after the initial use of the infected program. The example of such viruses is Jerusalem, cascade etc.

4.   Polymorphic Virus

A polymorphic virus is self- encrypted virus which avoid detection of the scanner. Such viruses actively hide themselves from antiviral software by either masking the size of the file they hide in or temporarily removing itself from the infected file and placing a copy of itself in another location. The examples of such viruses are Phoenix, Evil etc.

5.   Multiparty Virus

Multiparty virus is the combination of boot sector virus and program virus. It can infect both application programs and the boot sector of a disk. When the infected program is executed, these viruses infect the boot record. When you boot the computer the next time, the virus starts infecting other program files on the disk. The example of such viruses is Tequila, Flip etc.

6.   Script Virus

The virus which is developed by using script language is known as script virus. This virus uses script language to transfer from one computer to another. This virus is created by using script language like VBscript, Javascript. The examples of such viruses are Readlof.A, Sujim .com.np.

7.   Worms

This is a computer program that replicates itself at a swift pace. Unlike a computer virus, it is self-contained and hence does not need to be part of another program to propagate itself.

8.   Trojan Horse

A Trojan Horse is also a sort of destructive program that remains disguised in a normal software program. It is not exactly a virus, as it cannot replicate itself. However, there is possibility that virus program may remain concealed in the Trojan Horse.

9.   Bombs

It is similar to Trojan Horse, but Logic bombs have some specialty; these include a timing device and hence it will go off only at a particular date and time.

How Does Virus Affect?

Let us discuss in what ways a virus can affect your computer system. The ways are mentioned below −

• By downloading files from the Internet.
• During the removable of media or drives.
• Through pen drive.
• Through e-mail attachments.
• Through unpatched software & services.
• Through unprotected or poor administrator passwords.

Some of the effects of virus are as follows:

·      The speed of computer is reduced.

·      The instruction of program is reduced.

·      Data may be lost in the database.

·      Virus may transfer from one file to another.

·      It corrupts the system data.

·      Disrupts the normal functionality of respective computer system.

·      Disrupts system network use.

·      Modifies configuration setting of the system.

·      Destructs data.

·      Disrupts computer network resources.

·      Destructs of confidential data.

Virus Preventive Measures

Let us now see the different virus preventive measures. A computer system can be protected from virus through the following −

• Installation of an effective antivirus software.
• Patching up the operating system.
• Patching up the client software.
• Putting highly secured Passwords.
• Use of Firewalls.

Most Effective Antivirus

Following are the most popular and effective antivirus from which you can choose one for your personal computer −

• McAfee Antivirus Plus
• Symantec Norton Antivirus
• Avast Pro Antivirus
• Bitdefender Antivirus Plus
• Kaspersky Anti-Virus
• Avira Antivirus
• Webroot Secure Anywhere Antivirus
• Emsisoft Anti-Malware
• Quick Heal Antivirus
• ESET NOD32 Antivirus
• Quick heal
• Mcaffe anitivrus

20 Common Types of Viruses Affecting Your Computer

When we talk about computer security, the virus is the leading threat. It can destroy a single program or the whole computer system instead. The very first virus was created in the 1970s and was called the Creeper virus, affecting computers on the ARPANET. In 1981, the first hacker-made virus came into existence and spread through Apple floppy drives.

According to Information-Technology Promotion Agency, the numbers of viruses ballooned to 52,151 in 2004. However, due to certain programs that completely eliminate viruses, their numbers decreased to about 14,000 in 2010.

57% of the threats affecting your computer security is viruses. Other threats include Trojans, adware, worms, and malware, among others. Now, viruses are still widespread, affecting PC performance. Viruses are also tools of hackers to gain unauthorised access to your system and steal private information. It is important that you are aware of the different types of viruses that are affecting your computers.

·      Resident Virus

Resident viruses live in your RAM memory. It can interfere with normal system operation which can lead to the corruption of files and programs. The most popular examples of resident viruses are CMJ, Meve, MrKlunky, and Randex.

·      Multipartite Virus

This type of virus can easily spread in your computer system. It is very infectious, performing unauthorized actions in your operating system, in folders, and other programs on the computer. They have the ability to infect both the executable files and the boots sector.

Direct Action Virus

Direct action viruses attack certain types of files, typically .exe and .com files. The main purpose of this virus is to replicate and infect files in folders. On the lighter note, they do not typically delete files or affect PC performance and speed. It can be easily removed by antivirus programs.

·      Browser Hijacker

This type of virus infects your web browser in which it will bring you to different websites. Typically, if you key in a domain name in the internet address bar, the browser hijacker will open multiple fake websites that may harm your computer. On the other hand, most trusted browsers have built-in features to block them ahead.

·      Overwrite Virus

From the name itself, this virus overwrites the content of a file, losing the original content. It infects folders, files, and even programs. To delete this virus, you also need to get rid of your file. Thus, it is important to back up your data.

·      Web Scripting Virus

This virus lives in certain links, ads, image placement, videos, and layout of a website. These may carry malicious codes in which when you click, the viruses will be automatically downloaded or will direct you to malicious websites.

·      Boot Sector Virus

Boot sector viruses affect floppy disks. They came to existence when floppy disks are important in booting a computer. Although they are not very common today, it is still causing other computer units, especially the outdated ones. Some examples include Polyboot.B and AntiEXE.

·      Macro Virus

Macro viruses target applications and software that contain macros. These viruses can carry out series of operations affecting the performance of the program or software. Some examples of macro viruses are O97M/Y2K, Bablas, Melissa.A, and Relax.

·      Directory Virus

Directory viruses change file paths. When you run programs and software that are infected with directory viruses, the virus program also runs in the background. Further, it may be difficult for you to locate the original app or software once infected with directory viruses.

·      Polymorphic Virus

Polymorphic viruses use a special method of encoding or encryption every time they infect a system. With this, antivirus software finds it hard to locate then using signature searches. They are also capable of replicating easily. Polymorphic viruses include Satan Bug, Elkern, Tuareg, and Marburg.

·      File Infector Virus

This virus also infects executable files or programs. When you run these programs, the file infector virus is activated as well which can slow down the program and produce other damaging effects. A large block of existing viruses belongs to this category.

·      Encrypted Virus

This type of virus uses encrypted malicious codes which make antivirus software hard to detect them. They can only be detected when they decrypt themselves during replication. Although they don’t delete files or folders, they can badly affect PC performance.

·      Companion Virus

This is a type of virus that doesn’t survive without accompanying an existing file or folder. In order to carry out damages, the file or folder being accompanied by companion viruses should be opened or run. Some examples of companion viruses include Terrax.1069, Stator, and Asimov.1539.

·      Network Virus

Basically, this type of virus spreads out through Local Network Area (LAN) and through the internet. These viruses replicate through shared resources, including drives and folders. When network viruses enter a computer, they look for their potential prey. Dangerous network viruses include Nimda and SQLSlammer.

·      Nonresident Virus

Nonresident viruses replicate through modules. When the module is executed, it will select one or more files to infect.

·      Stealth Virus

Stealth viruses trick antivirus software by appearing like they are real files or programs and by intercepting its requests to the OS. Some antivirus software cannot detect them. Sometimes, it temporarily removes itself from the system without deletion.

·      Sparse Infector

Sparse infectors use different techniques to minimize its detection. They are viruses that infect “occasionally”. For example, they may only want to infect a program every tenth execution. Because they are occasional infectors, antivirus software has a hard time detecting them.

·      Spacefiller Virus

Also known as “cavity” viruses, spacefillers attach themselves to the file and can alter the start of the program or change the encrypted code. They also implement stealth techniques so that users cannot determine the increase the file code. The most popular Spacefiller is the Lehigh virus.

·      FAT Virus

Basically, this type of virus ruins file allocation system where the information about files, including the location, exist.

Others

Other threats are not technically called as “virus”, but they also have the same damaging effects as viruses. This includes worms, adware, malware, Trojan, and ransomware.

To prevent these viruses from affecting your computer, it is important that you install the best and the most competitive antivirus software that can detect, block, and eliminate all types of computer viruses.