This article sets out to outline some of the basic categories of computer viruses. These include boot sector viruses, program viruses, multipartite viruses, stealth viruses, Polymorphic viruses and macro viruses.
Boot sector viruses store themselves in the most crucial and basic area of your computer: the boot sector. The boot sector is a part of a disk, like a hard drive, cd or floppy disk from which your operating system is launched. Boot sector viruses are mostly spread by floppy disc. When a disc with a boot sector virus is in you drive and you re-boot, the virus is copied to your hard drive. The virus then copies itself to new discs put in the drive. Since floppy discs have been replaced by USB drives and re-writeable CDS for the most part they are becoming less and less prevalent.
Program viruses are hiding within executable files. When you open the program, the virus is activated. The virus can then spread itself by infecting other files on your computer.
Multipartite viruses are a combination of program viruses and boot sector viruses. Initially the virus is contained in a program. When that program is activated the virus copies itself onto the boot sector, making it much harder to detect and remove.
Stealth viruses actively alter their own structure to evade detection by anti-virus software. Things it can do to remain un-detected are changing its file size, hiding itself in memory and changing its location in the file system. The first ever computer virus was of this type.
Polymorphic viruses change their underlying binary structure to be able to remain un-detected by anti-virus software. This change is effected every time it multiplies itself.
Worms can have the same attributes as the various kinds of viruses, but they do not require any action by the user to activate; they automatically seek out new computers to infect.
They only way to protect your computer from infection from viruses is to install an anti-virus program. You can consider usuing VIPRE Antivirus Coupon . Careful consideration is important when selecting an anti-virus program; you must match your needs with the proper piece of software. Some anti-virus software is extremely thorough and will protect your computer from all viruses. This seems great, but the computing power required to do this can wind up making your computer just as slow as if it had a virus! There are programs on the market aimed at computer gamers that do an excellent job of protecting your computer without slowing down its performance.
