Computer virus
hideA computer virus is a computer program that can copy itself and infect a computer without the permission or knowledge of the owner. The term "virus" is also commonly but erroneously used to refer to other types of malware, adware, and spyware programs that do not have the reproductive ability. A true virus can only spread from one computer to another (in some form of executable code) when its host is taken to the target computer; for instance because a user sent it over a network or the Internet, or carried it on a removable medium such as a floppy disk, CD, DVD, or USB drive. Viruses can increase their chances of spreading to other computers by infecting files on a network file system or a file system that is accessed by another computer.
The term "computer virus" is sometimes used as a catch-all phrase to include all types of malware. Malware includes computer viruses, worms, trojan horses, most rootkits, spyware, dishonest adware, crimeware, and other malicious and unwanted software), including true viruses. Viruses are sometimes confused with computer worms and Trojan horses, which are technically different. A worm can exploit security vulnerabilities to spread itself to other computers without needing to be transferred as part of a host, and a Trojan horse is a program that appears harmless but has a hidden agenda. Worms and Trojans, like viruses, may cause harm to either a computer system's hosted data, functional performance, or networking throughput, when they are executed. Some viruses and other malware have symptoms noticeable to the computer user, but many are surreptitious.
Most personal computers are now connected to the Internet and to local area networks, facilitating the spread of malicious code. Today's viruses may also take advantage of network services such as the World Wide Web, e-mail, Instant Messaging, and file sharing systems to spread.
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News tagged with computer virus
UK police make 2 Trojan computer virus arrests
Nov 18, 2009 |
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(AP) -- A couple suspected of helping spread some of the Internet's most aggressive computer viruses has been arrested in the English city of Manchester, police said Wednesday.
Hooks hijacked? New research shows how to block stealthy malware attacks
Technology / Computer Sciences
Nov 03, 2009 |
4.9 / 5 (13) |
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The spread of malicious software, also known as malware or computer viruses, is a growing problem that can lead to crashed computer systems, stolen personal information, and billions of dollars in lost productivity every ...
Cyber crime lords using big business tactics: Cisco
Jul 14, 2009 |
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Cyber criminals are aping executives when it comes to sales, marketing and risk management in the world of online treachery, according to a report released by networking giant Cisco.
When good computers go bad
Jul 09, 2009 |
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Personal computers are complex devices. We use them every day to do so many things and quite frankly, I don't know how I got along without one back in the olden days (that's the '70s in case you were wondering). Their complexity ...
Google News mistakes Jackson queries for attack
Jun 27, 2009 |
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A deluge of search queries for Michael Jackson led Google News, the news aggregator of Web search engine Google, to initially believe it was under attack, the Internet giant said on Friday.
Turmoil fuels 'hacktivist' attacks on Web sites
Jun 25, 2009 |
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(AP) -- For about 90 minutes Wednesday, visitors to the Oregon University System's Web site found themselves taken for a ride they didn't ask for. They were redirected to another site under the control of ...
FTC shuts allegedly rogue Internet provider
Jun 05, 2009 |
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(AP) -- The federal government has severed the Internet connection of a company accused of helping criminals serve up a "witches' brew" of nasty content online, from computer viruses to child pornography.
Computer virus strikes US Marshals, FBI affected
May 21, 2009 |
3 / 5 (2) |
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(AP) -- Law enforcement computers were struck by a Mystery computer virus Thursday, forcing the FBI and the U.S. Marshals to shut down part of their networks as a precaution.
Scientists predict mobile phone viruses will pose a serious threat
Technology / Computer Sciences
May 21, 2009 |
5 / 5 (5) |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- If you own a computer, chances are you have experienced the aftermath of a nasty virus at some point. In contrast, there have been no major outbreaks of mobile phone viral infection, despite ...
Internet 'flooded with swine virus spam emails'
Apr 30, 2009 |
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Spam emails using "swine flu" as a keyword phrase have flooded the Internet as opportunists seek to exploit concerns over the outbreak of the virus, a global cyber security firm warned Thursday.
Conficker worm dabbling with mischief
Apr 28, 2009 |
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The Conficker worm's creators are evidently toying with ways to put the pervasive computer virus to work firing off spam or spreading rogue anti-virus applications called "scareware."
Conficker worm hits University of Utah computers
Apr 12, 2009 |
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(AP) -- University of Utah officials say a computer virus has infected more than 700 campus computers, including those at the school's three hospitals.
Bogus security software growing threat: Microsoft
Apr 08, 2009 |
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Hackers are increasingly hiding viruses in bogus computer security software to trick people into installing treacherous programs on machines, Microsoft warned on Wednesday.
Conficker worm plays no tricks on April Fools' Day
Apr 02, 2009 |
4 / 5 (1) |
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The Conficker worm's April 1st trigger date came and went without the bedeviling computer virus causing any mischief but security specialists warn that the threat is far from over.
Stolen-data trove offers look inside a botnet
Mar 15, 2009 |
4.8 / 5 (5) |
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(AP) -- Getting hacked is like having your computer turn traitor on you, spying on everything you do and shipping your secrets to identity thieves.
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