How a Computer Virus Works essays

How a Computer Virus Works essays Anyone who has ever used a computer has more than likely run into some sort of problem. In some cases these problems are caused by what is known as a computer virus. When we hear the word virus, we usually think of some thing that makes us sick. If you have ever had a virus on your PC, you probably find the name virus quite appropriate. Believe it or not, a virus is just another type of software. They are what some call malicious software. Viruses are miniature programs that duplicate themselves and attach their replicas to other programs and documents. So where do viruses come from? Some people enjoy painting on paper and others enjoy painting on public and private structures. What does this have to do with computer viruses you ask? Just like graffiti is a destructive way for artists to show of their artistic talent, viruses are a destructive way for computer programmers to show of theirs. In order for a virus to take its malicious course, it first has to enter your computer. Because sharing of information is one of the many benefits of computers, this is easy. The entry of a virus into a PC is called the invasion. The virus is usually introduced through network adapter cards and disk drives. Viruses are usually disguised as e-mails or attachments. We download them from the internet (network adapter cards); they attach themselves to other programs and documents. We pass them to other PCs through hard disks, floppy disks, compact disks, Zip disks, and Jazz disks (disk drives). Even though the virus is in the computer, it does not begin its destruction until action is taken in the spot where the virus is located. Lets assume the virus is attached to an e-mail attachment. You would first have to open the attachment for the virus to become active. If the virus is on a floppy disk, simply accessing the drive is enough. Once this occurs the virus installs itself in the computers memory. ...