What is a computer virus?

Computer viruses are small software programs that are designed to spread from one computer to another and to interfere with computer operation.A virus might corrupt or delete data on your computer, use your e-mail program to spread itself to other computers, or even erase everything on your hard disk.

Viruses are most easily spread by attachments in e-mail messages or instant messaging messages. That is why it is essential that you never open e-mail attachments unless you know who it's from and you are expecting it.Viruses can be disguised as attachments of funny images, greeting cards, or audio and video files.Viruses also spread through downloads on the Internet. They can be hidden in illicit software or other files or programs you might download.

To help avoid viruses, it's essential that you keep your computer current with the latest updates and antivirus tools, stay informed about recent threats, and that you follow a few basic rules when you surf the Internet, download files, and open attachments. Once a virus is on your computer, its type or the method it used to get there is not as important as removing it and preventing further infection.

Why do people make viruses?

I was just wondering why people think other people creating a virus?Does it give them a buzz? are they bad people? or are they just trying to help us and show us where the risks lie on our sites?

Because they can mostly... Its a sad answer, but true in most cases. The ones who go forth with massive attacks against the public or MS, etc, have an issue of their own, and i suppose vengance is a good reason.It isn't always for a negative purpose that which viruses are created, it is simply a programmers goal to beat a program, or make it do something it wasn't intended to do.

H4ck1ing/(r4ck1ing is the same, it's a test of a programs strength, and unfortunatly the program will always lose. There is always a way to beat the code as someone wrote it, and it uses finite objects, and it will always be it's weakness.I read a report one time that said less than 0.1% of viruses created are ever used, less than half of those released are ever widespread. It makes you realize just how many viruses there could be....

How do I create a computer virus?

Because of the frequency this question has been asked in e-mail, on the forums, and searched for on Computer Hope we have decided to create a document for this question. If you are interested in creating a computer virus, trojan, worm, or other malicious program as revenge, payback, or as a prank for an individual or a company we suggest you re-think.

Creating a program to delete files or to cause other issues with a persons computer resolves nothing, may cause you additional issues, may cause you to be prosecuted by the law. In other words you could be fined and/or sent to prison.Users who are interested in creating computer viruses or other programs should consider learning to program in a computer programming language. You will learn a lot more by learning one or more programming languages and you will become more qualified in getting hired at a company that designs programs. No one ever got hired by a reputable company for writing computer viruses.

Below is additional questions and answers that relate to this same subject.

**If I create a good computer virus wont I become famous?

No, the only fame you will likely get is a news article and maybe a picture of you when you are handcuffed and being sent to prison. In fact if you were to write a computer virus that was effective and infected several computers or networks you would more than likely not wish to become famous at the fear of being prosecuted by the law.

**I only want to write a virus to learn how they work.

You will learn a lot more about how computer programs and viruses work by learning to program then you ever will by writing and tinkering with computer viruses.

**If I write a good virus I'll get hired at a security firm or antivirus company

False, no respectable security firm or antivirus company wants to affiliated with an individual who has created a program that has infected potential customers computers. If you're interested in getting hired on at a security firm, antivirus company, or just want to get into the security field it would be much better to learn programming, become a participant in security discussions, become a beta tester, and/or attempt to find vulnerabilities in programs and operating systems and report them to the companies.

Can Computer Hope send me additional details, examples, or other information about creating viruses.

No, Computer Hope will not send any user any other additional information about creating computer viruses, worms, or trojans. This document was created to help deter any users from creating computer viruses and instead do something more productive like computer programming.

10 easy tips for keeping your system safe from attacks.

1. Get an antivirus tool.


2. Get a personal firewall.


3. Keep your systems patched.


4. Keep your browser security settings at Medium or even High.


5. Never click 'Yes' when your browser asks if you want to install/run content from an organization you don't trust.


6. Install an anti-spyware tool to augment your antivirus protection.


7. Don't install a search-help bar in your browser unless it's from someone you trust.


8. Check to see which companies' software certificates you're configured to trust.


9. Get a credit card to use solely for Internet purchases.


10. Don't run executable email attachments, even if sent by a friend.