A computer virus is a malicious program that is created by individuals who intend to cause harm or disruption to systems and computers. They are coded bits that attach themselves to different programs or applications and once activated, they spread like wildfire. Viruses are often found in documents or programs that were downloaded from the internet or distributed via email. The majority of countries consider it illegal to develop and spread a computer virus.
There are a myriad of types of computer viruses which can affect computers in different ways. Some depend on a program to start their work however, others are completely independent and are able to attack multiple systems without the need for hosting. A computer virus that utilizes host programs to infect computers is often considered to be a worm but those that don’t utilize the method of infection by other programs are believed to be viruses.
Certain viruses can begin infecting a system as soon as they arrive, while others remain inactive until the user unwittingly executes the code. The first computer virus, created in 1974 and identical to biological viruses, grew rapidly and caused harm to the system. Stuxnet is an example of an extremely destructive computer virus. It was designed to destroy computerized centrifuges which were used to enrich Uranium.
The process of creating viruses can be extremely complex and is not suitable for those who are not experienced. However, it can be a fun and exciting way to test your proficiency in computer programming languages and systems. There are many resources that will show you how to make a virus if are willing and willing to put into the effort.
