Computer virus is 25 years old

The first computer virus appeared in 1982, not as dangerous as it is today. It was created by a high school student in Pittsburgh.

The virus came into being when the IBM personal computer was only 1 year old. After 25 years, the virus has now grown very strong. Besides, the security and virus software industry has also grown.

According to computer safety expert Eugene Spafford and professor of computer science at the Purude University Information Security Research and Education Center, it is difficult to determine the damage from These virus software. But it is estimated that the amount of damage it causes and the profits for those who see it in the network world is in the tens to hundreds of billions of dollars every year.

Just like viruses and similar programs called worms, today's virus software can copy itself to infected computers via attachments at email, on the website, even attack. direct. But instead of damaging computers, they can only control users' keyboard press to get social security numbers or put spam programs on the device. This phenomenon is called a bot and it allows an attacker to control an infected computer remotely.

According to Spafford, finance is the motivation for people to make many new virus software every day, and let them live parasites on other people's computers. They cause serious damage but do not want to kill the infected person because then they will be killed as well.

In a commentary published in Science magazine this week, Spafford and computer scientist Richard Ford of the Florida Institute of Technology have warned that destructive viruses will become more serious and widespread in many areas. , especially when mobile phones and consumer electronics devices are becoming more sophisticated and connected (eg iPhone). Viruses can infect mobile phones via Bluetooth wireless devices. Researchers warn: "The day when the virus from one mobile phone to another is not far away ."

Spafford says there is no single cause or solution for software that seems to make things worse before it is improved. " A lot of problems in it relate to people ." Consumers require computers to have more features, thus enabling space for viruses and hidden bots. It is possible that the software and the computer itself have the tools to fight the virus software, but users have to turn off those tools to play games.

The report published by the National Research Council at the end of June this year urges people to further improve network safety technology and policies. Spafford said if given due attention, the efforts of government and the computer industry could help control the growth of fake software in the next decade.

He added: " We won't see the disappearance of fake software. The only problem is how much we control them ."

Tam Ha