The Different Types of Computer Viruses

A computer virus is a program designed to harm or cause harm on an infected computer. Its
spreads through e-mail attachments, portable devices, websites containing malicious scripts
and file downloads. A computer virus attaches itself to the host files and always activate whenever you open the infected files. The virus
can replicate itself and then infect the other files on your computer causing more damage. Below
is a list of different types of computer viruses and what they do
These viruses infect the files created using some applications or programs that contain macros
such as doc, pps, xls and mdb. They
automatically infect the files with macros and also templates and documents that are
contained in the file. They hide in documents shared through e-mail and networks.
Macro viruses include:
Relax
bablas
Melissa.A
097M/Y2K
They usually fix themselves inside the computer memory. They get activated every time the OS
runs and end up infecting other opened files.
They hide in RAM.
Memory Resident Viruses Include:
CMJ
meve
randex
mrklunky
These types of viruses delete any information in a file they infect, leaving them partially or
completely useless once they are infected. Once in the computer, they replaces all the file content but the file size doesn’t change.
Overwrite Viruses Include:
Trj.Reboot
way
trivial.88.D
These viruses mainly replicate or take action once they are executed. When a certain condition is met, the viruses will act by infecting
the files in the directory or the folder specified in the AUTOEXEC.BAT. The viruses are generally found in the hard disk’s root directory, but they
keep on changing location.
Direct Action Viruses Include:
Vienna virus
Also known as cluster virus or file system virus.
They infect the computer’s directory by changing the path indicating file location. They are usually
located in the disk but affect the entire directory.
Directory Viruses Include:
dir-2 virus
Most web pages include some complex codes in order to create an interactive and interesting
content. Such a code is often exploited to cause certain undesirable actions. They mostly
originate from the infected web pages or browsers.
Web Scripting Viruses Include:
JS.Fortnight – a virus that spreads via malicious
emails.
These type of viruses spread in many different ways. Their actions vary depending on the OS
installed and presence of certain files. They tend to hide in the computer’s memory but do not
infect the hard disk.
Multipartite Viruses Include:
flip
invader
tequila
These lardy viruses attack the file allocation table (FAT) which is the disc part used to store
every information about the available space,location of files, unusable space etc.
FAT Viruses Include:
the link virus
These types of viruses infect files just like the direct action and the resident types. Once inside
the computer, they ‘accompany’ other existing files.
Companion Viruses Include:
Asimov.1539
stator and terrax.1069
They encode or encrypt themselves in a different way every time they infect your computer. They use different encryption and algorithms. This makes it difficult for the antivirus software to locate them using signature or string searches
(since they are very different in each
encryption).
Polymorphic Viruses Include:
Marburg
tuareg
Satan bug
elkern
This program is very similar to a virus and has the ability to self-replicate leading to negative
effects on your computer.
Worm Viruses Include:
lovgate.F
sobig.D
trile. C
PSWBugbear.B
Mapson
Trojans can illegally trace important login details of users online. For example E-Banking is very common among users, therefore, vulnerability of tracing your login details whenever your PC is working without any strong powerful antivirus
installed.This is a virus spread via an email. Such a virus will hide in an email and when the recipient
opens the mail.This virus can spread in many different ways including a voluntary download. If infects certain
browser functions especially in form of re-directing the user automatically to certain sites.A good example is
Browser Hijackers Include:
the cool web search
They include the boot sector plus master boot record types. All the viral codes can be separate
location; however they infect the hard disks or the floppy.
Boot Infectors Include:
the brain virus -it is the very first wild virus to be created.From what we have seen, the many types of
computer viruses and their effects are very harmful and can completely damage your system. Always make sure your system is up to
date. Also install antivirus software. The antivirus program protects your computer and the personal information in it