What is a computer virus?

 

What is a computer virus?

A computer virus is a malicious program.  Computer virus enters the computer through various sources and infects the memory secretly and increases its number.  These are malicious programs that disrupt the normal functioning of the computer.  Sometimes it corrupts programs or data, prevents the computer from booting, and corrupts the disk.  A computer virus is a type of computer program or set of programs, which, by joining with other computer programs, damages or completely destroys legitimate programs and periodically infects various computer programs and disables the overall operation of the computer.  Many times the virus somehow sneaks into a legitimate program and stays hidden.  When the program is run, the virus begins its activities without the knowledge of the computer user.

According to Kenneth C. Laudon & Jane P. Laudon, "Computer viruses are rogue software programs that are difficult to detect, which spread rapidly through computer systems, destroying data or disrupting processing and memory systems."

There are thousands of computer viruses in the world.  It is estimated that 200 viruses are produced every month.  Not all viruses harm computers or programs.  However, there are some viruses that are extremely dangerous.  Fred Cohen, a researcher at the University of California, was the first to name malicious computer programs as viruses.

The full meaning of the word virus is an abbreviation - Vital information and resources under seizure.  So computer viruses cannot manifest themselves without a computer.