COMPUTER VIRUSES

Elijah Collins Kingson

Pros, Cons & The Way Forward

outline

what is a computer virus?

background information

identifying the pros & cons

types of computer viruses

how do viruses spread?

the way forward

attributes of a computer virus

what is a computer virus?

a malicious program; usually designed to replicate itselfand cause harm to your computer.

what is a computer virus?

A computer virus is a malware program that, when executed, replicates by inserting copies of

itself (possibly modified) into other computer programs, data files, or the boot sector of the hard drive; when this replication succeeds, the affected

areas are then said to be "infected".

background information

Viruses became popular in the 1980s and were transmitted via email and

on bulletin boards.

why do people make viruses?

Fun

Reputation

Money

Employment

why do people make viruses?

Fun

Reputation

Money

Employment

Wickedness

how do viruses spread?

Emails

Computer Networks

The Internet

External Storage Media

attributes of a computer virus

Self replicating

Attaches itself to executable programs

Malicious

attributes of a computer virus

Viruses often perform some type of harmful activity on infected hosts, such

as stealing hard disk space or CPU time, accessing private

information, corrupting data, displaying political or humorous messages on the user's screen, spamming their contacts,

logging their keystrokes, or even rendering the computer useless.

pros cons

identifying the pros and cons

Computer viruses play a vital role in technological warfare.

Damage to computers & resources.

File corruption & data loss.

Denial of service.

Disruption of work.

Computer viruses can be used to expose security vulnerabilities.

Viruses can be used to a protect systems from attack by hackers.

types of computer viruses

Boot sector virusesThis virus infects the hard disk’s

boot sector and makes the system unable to boot.

types of computer viruses

File infectorsThis virus infects executable files or

programs. On running the programs, the virus would be activated, then be able to

carry out its damaging effects.

types of computer viruses

Direct action virusesThis virus replicates itself, then acts when executed. Subject to

satisfaction of particular conditions, the virus infects files located in the folders or computer directory. It is also in directories specified in

the AUTOEXEC.BAT PATH. In most cases, it is located in hard drive’s root directory and takes particular action when the computer

boots.

ILOVEYOU Virus with message to Bill Gates

Source: Wikipedia

types of computer viruses

Overwrite virusesThese viruses delete information that is in the infected files. In this case, the infected files would be rendered totally or partially

useless. Often times, unfortunately, the only way to get rid of this one is to delete

the infected files.

types of computer viruses

Resident virusesThese are permanent viruses dwelling in RAM. Designed to interrupt operations

that the system executes.

Effects include corrupting programs and files that areclosed, opened, renamed or copied.

other infection types

WormsA worm is a malicious computer program

that has the ability to copy itself across various computers usually with the help of

a computer network.

other infection types

Trojan HorseTrojan horses hide behind the veil of useful programs like games and other software. Once you install the software, the Trojan executes and can create a backdoor for hackers to gain access to your computer.

who virus don help?

Computer viruses play a vital role in technological warfare.

who virus don help?

Computer viruses play a vital role in technological warfare.

Illegal nuclear facilities in Iran have been shut down using computer

viruses.

the way forward

“…a virus cannot be spread without a human action (such as running an

infected program).”

Webopedia.com (2004)

Don’t download email attachments whose source you cannot verify.

Never start the computer using an unknown disk drive.

Don’t download content from unprotected sites. Look out for the SSL certification seal.

the way forward

Use (and regular updating) of antivirus software.

the way forward

the way forward

Frequent operating system updates. Both ways.

The first computer virus was developed by Bob Thomas in 1971.

It made it’s first appearance on ARPANET (the predecessor of the

Internet) around that time.

COMPUTER VIRUSES

Elijah Collins Kingson

Pros, Cons & The Way Forward

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