What are Computer Viruses and their Different Types?
Computers are appliances that are of important use in the century we are currently living in. They have brought any required information existing in this global world to the reach of any user at any given time. Computer viruses cause disruption to productivity and are sometimes used to steal data from a user.
Research has also been made easy with the aid of these devices. Therefore, we can conclude that computers are of importance in our lives currently. Other than the roles they play, they tend to be subjected to several viral threats that we can state them.
Types of Computer Viruses
- MACRO VIRUS
In our computers, there are several programs, for instance we have the word and excel. This macro virus is known for attacking the two files and they can spread to other computers when the affected files are shared via links or mail.
- BOOT SECTOR VIRUS
As the name suggests, this type of computer virus typically affects the core of a computer. Once infected, the startup or the booting process of a computer gets affected. Floppy disks were known to spread these viruses, but they currently attach themselves to mail or disks of USB. We can reform our computers to curb this challenge.
- TROJAN VIRUS
Cyber-criminals normally use this type of computer virus where they tend to request the users to install them. After installation, they manage to acquire our personal data such as bank accounts. It is advisable for users to neglect such links especially if he/she is not aware of them to evade the Trojan viruses.
- OVERWRITE VIRUS
Downloading documents online or through our mail is always part of what we do with our computers. At times, these downloads are of great risk because they infect our computers with overwritten viruses without realization. To avoid the threat, you need to scan the downloaded documents with smart antivirus software.
- WEB SCRIPTING VIRUS
With several advances in our computers, there tend to exist advancements in the viruses that attack our computers. Web script is one of the advanced computer viruses that mostly can attack and spread in our computers through social media platforms. They affect cookies in our computers, finally leading to damage and loss of important data. Users are advised to be careful of the links they open with their computer to curb this challenge.
- RESIDENT VIRUS
These are viruses that affect the memories of our computer by filing them without being prompted to do so. They can also affect the performance of our anti-viruses and can only be solved by experts.
- FAT VIRUS
They are known as file allocation table viruses and affect the place and storage paths of documents.
- ARMORED VIRUS
These are viruses that tend to protect themselves from detection by anti-viruses. They affect the normal operations of our computers and only experts can do away with them.
- MASS MAILER VIRUS
They tend to infect MS outlook and addresses of our e-mails by sending spam to original addresses of our e-mails.
Conclusion
Now that we have a knowledge of the existence of several viruses affecting our computers, it is our responsibility as users to ensure that we do something from involving anti-viruses to experts to avoid them.
ALSO READ: How Does A Virus Infect A Computer?
