What is a computer virus? The most dangerous viruses today

Computer virus is no longer a strange term for computer users. Have you ever encountered a situation where your computer flickers, freezes, vibrates, or lags? It is very possible that the user's 'companion' has been infected with a virus on the computer. So what is a computer virus? Now let's find out with TipsMake!

What is a computer virus?

What is a computer virus ? This is a malicious code or program code designed to infect a computer. Once a computer virus is installed on the computer, the virus will automatically copy and spread with the purpose of stealing information, deleting data, damaging the hard drive, etc.

The original origin of computer viruses came from people wanting to demonstrate their programming knowledge. However, today, viruses are increasingly dangerous because they are created to steal personal information (such as credit card information) to take over users' own accounts.

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Types of computer viruses

The following are popular computer viruses on the Internet today for your reference and to come up with the most suitable prevention program for your computer.

Hijackers – computer viruses (specializing in browser attacks)

The way to recognize a Hijacker virus is to encounter various websites when you do any search on your browser. This type of virus is considered common because it is often hidden in data files that users download for free.

Macro Virus (spread through files)

Viruses will often hide in files supported by Macro programs (spread only through files). Real-world examples are the Microsoft Word and Excel programs, which are often accidentally downloaded from email attachments when they are hidden in these files.

Multipartite virus

Under normal circumstances, most computer viruses will only spread in one specific way, but for most viruses the situation is completely different, as they can spread in many different ways. , each other, difficult to deal with.

Much of a virus' activity will depend on the operating system the user is using, so dealing with viruses is also something many people are trying to deal with up to now.

Network virus

This virus is commonly found in programs used to display any website used by the user. All display positions such as images, videos, bad website layouts, etc. that are accidentally shifted to the right will contain viruses.

Memory virus

If you accidentally encounter this virus, it will be very difficult to repair it. If you can fix it, the impact on your data will be quite large. Because the nature of memory viruses is to destroy data, specifically they can embed themselves in the computer's memory and operate there.

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Computer viruses are common

Below are some common types of computer viruses that every user should know.

Resident virus

Viruses often reside in your RAM and interfere with user system operations. They are so hidden that they can add themselves to customers' anti-virus software files without being compromised or detected.

Multistrain

This virus infects your entire system — many strains spread by performing unauthorized actions on your operating system, folders, and programs.

Boot sector virus

One of the easiest viruses to avoid, this virus hides in files or email attachments on USB drives. Once activated, it can infect the system's master boot record

Virus invades web browser

A virus can change browser settings, hijack browser favorites, homepage URLs, search options, and redirect you to malicious websites.

Live Action Virus

When a user executes a seemingly harmless file with malicious code, the Live Action Virus takes immediate action, looking for other similar files in the directory to infect. These viruses may also be dormant until a specific action is taken or a time frame has passed.

Polymorphic viruses

Malware authors can use polymorphic code to change program fingerprints to avoid detection. Polymorphic viruses make anti-virus software more difficult to detect and remove than other viruses.

Web script virus

Most browsers have protection against malicious web scripts, but older, unsupported browsers have vulnerabilities that allow attackers to run code on local devices. From then on, your computer becomes infested with ads and spam, turns into a cryptocurrency miner, and download speeds slow down more and more.

Virus File Infector

To survive on the system, bad guys use this virus to inject malicious code into important files running the operating system or important programs. When a system boots or a program runs, the virus is activated to attack files and steal them, delivering them to the hacker's server.

Macro viruses

Is a virus that works like a regular macro. Microsoft Office files can carry macro viruses that can be used to download malware or run malicious code. Although they are harmless to computers in terms of data and information, they can cause trouble by inserting random text, sending spam.etc.

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Dangerous viruses

Some of the most dangerous viruses have ever rocked the Internet. Below are some computer viruses that have been scanned since 1998, causing the loss of hundreds of millions of USB drives. Types of computer viruses include:

1. CIH virus (1998).
2. Melissa virus (1999).
3. Virus ILOVEYOU (2000).
4. Virus Code Red (2001).
5. SQL Slammer Virus (2003).
6. Bagle Virus (2004).
7. MyDoom Virus (2004).
8. Storm Worm Virus.
9. Wannacry virus (recent years).

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Virus attack method

To understand how viruses attack, we first need to understand how computers work. 

Computers are designed to operate using instructions in the form of machine code, which is a sequence of binary numbers, and are programmed to cause defined tasks to be repeated and organized into modules. The individual module is called a 'subprogram'. 

In programming languages ​​what is called a 'subroutine' routine, when the tasks of a routine are executed, the running program executes the instructions of the routine to perform some task assigned by the user. use request.

The virus is written as a process that will modify the address parameter of some command pointing to its address. When the virus is terminated, control is passed to a program called a process. 

Computer viruses are understood to operate only in the form of code, and the ability to reproduce a virus infection will depend on the skill of its creator.

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How to prevent computer viruses

So what is the effective way to prevent computer viruses ? Below are some ways to prevent viruses that every user should know. Thereby, you can choose virus prevention methods that are suitable for your computer.

Install anti-virus software

The most common and easiest way to prevent computer viruses is to install antivirus software. 

Just a simple operation, it will not take up too much of the user's time. The benefits of installing this software are huge and can help you protect your computer and personal information more effectively.

However, anti-virus programs cannot block viruses other than those in the current database, so users need to regularly update the anti-virus program's data so that it operates normally.

Freeze the computer system

When you perform a 'freeze', the user's computer is left intact, limiting changes so that your computer is less susceptible to viruses. If infected, they will be deleted as soon as the computer restarts.

Save computer data

When taking all precautions, a user's computer can still be infected with a virus.

At this time, everyone should get into the good habit of always backing up your important data somewhere else to ensure safe and easy recovery in different situations.

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Popular computer anti-virus software

When using a computer, everyone should have anti-virus software to help protect the computer better. The following are the best antivirus software for computers. 

Bitdefender Antivirus software

BitDefender Antivirus Plus is one of the best antivirus software for Windows computers. The software can detect threats from programs installed on the user's computer, while still optimizing for speed and battery life.

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McAfee AntiVirus Plus software

McAfee AntiVirus Plus is a powerful antivirus that protects users' computers from viruses, trojans, rootkits, spyware and other malicious objects without reducing system performance.

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Trend Micro Antivirus + Security Software

Trend Micro AntiVirus + Security provides comprehensive computer protection for an enjoyable and absolutely safe experience when using the Internet.

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Malwarebytes Premium software

Malwarebytes Premium is your perfect antivirus. It combines the latest and best technologies to discover, destroy, and prevent malware infections.

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Sophos Home Premium software

Sophos Home Premium is antivirus software that combines many security features of the computer platform, the ability to detect threats using artificial intelligence and the ability to block malicious elements in real time.

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Kaspersky Anti-Virus software

Kaspersky Anti-Virus is a basic protection program that protects your computer from all types of malware. What is a computer antivirus program that acts as a backbone in the wall of protection, keeping the computer safe from viruses and spyware.

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Epilogue

Hopefully this article has helped you better understand what a computer virus is? How to prevent viruses, attack methods to get the best choice for your computer. Wishing all users good luck in protecting their computer systems.

Kareem Winters

Update 12 October 2023