Computer Viruses

One of the most destructive examples of computer crime involves the creation of computer viruses or worms. Virus is the more popular term but, technically, a virus is a program code that cannot work without being inserted into another program.

A worm is a distinct program that can run unaided. In either case, these programs copy annoying or destructive routines into the networked computer systems of anyone who accesses computers infected with the virus or who uses copies of disks taken from infected computer.

Thus, a computer virus or worm can spread destruction among many users. Though they sometimes display only humorous messages, they more often destroy the contents of memory, hard disks, and other storage devices. Copy routines in the virus or worms spread the virus and destroy the data and software of many computer users.

Computer viruses typically enter a computer system through E-mail and file attachments via the Internet and online services, or through illegal or borrowed copies of software. Copies of shareware software downloaded from the internet can be another source of viruses.

A virus usually copies itself into the files of a computer’s operating system. Then virus spreads to the main memory and copies itself onto the computer’s hard dick and any inserted disks.

The virus spreads to other computers trhough E-mail, file transfer, other telecommunications activities, or disks from infected computers. Thus, as a good practice, avoid using software from questionable sources without checking for viruses.

Also need to use regularly antivirus programs that can help diagnose and remove computer viruses from infected files on hard disk.
Computer Viruses