How Do Computer Viruses Spread?
There can be many reasons for the spread of the virus.The main reasons for its infection are as follows -
1. Using a Pirated Software
2. Through Network System
3. Through Secondary Storage Device
4. Through internet
Using A Pirated Software :-
When software is obtained illegally, it is called pirated software.
Through Network System :-
Nowadays all the computers are connected to each other and because of the computers being connected to each other the data can be transferred easily then it causes virus infection on the whole network.
Through Secondary Storage Device :-
When any data is transferred or copied through secondary storage its virus also gets transferred to it and causes infection.
Through Internet :-
Today the internet is considered to be the main carrier of virus infection. Today the whole world is connected to the internet and there is a lot of exchange of information. Today the internet is the reason for the spread of most viruses.
A few prominent computer Viruses -
Today our computer is infected with many types of viruses. New viruses keep developing every day. The invention of the Internet has given a new dimension to the spread of viruses. Who knows how many types of viruses are infecting computers through the Internet today. Some famous viruses that have infected computers on a large scale in the recent past.
• Michelangelo
• Disk Washer
• C-Brain
• MacMag
• Jerusalem
• Columbus
Michelangelo :-
The most infamous virus till date, Michelangelo, was named so because it used to destroy data on March 6, which is Michelangelo's birth date. Hence, it is also called the "March 6 virus". This virus was discovered in mid-1991 and all subsequent anti-virus software was able to destroy it. Another reason behind this virus becoming infamous was that many anti-virus researchers had predicted widespread destruction of computer systems on March 6. The fear of this prophecy remained in the hearts of people on every March 6 throughout the 1990s, which ended much later.
Disk Washer :-
The Disk Washer virus got its name because of the message "Disk Washer with Love" contained inside it. It was discovered in India in the last months of 1993. This virus was so dangerous that it used to erase all the data present in the hard disk. Antivirus software developed in 1994 and thereafter were able to detect and eliminate this virus.
C-Brain :-
Two Pakistani brothers Amjad and Basit developed this virus in January 1986. Only those two brothers knew about the virus, which was true. Its purpose was to discourage people from buying software illegally. It is considered to be possibly the first virus in the world. Also, among all the viruses till date, it was the most talked about virus. It infected millions of computers. It was a boot sector virus.
Macmag :-
This virus used to end by showing a peace message on your monitor. It used to infect only Apple Macintosh computers. Richard Brando is considered to be the originator of this virus. Richard was the publisher of MacMag magazine and the virus was named after this magazine. This virus did not cause much damage.
Jerusalem :-
This virus was first found in Havereu University, Jerusalem in 1987. Hence, it was named Jerusalem. One special thing about it was that it was active only on Fridays. This virus was very dangerous. This virus used to destroy all the files on which work was done on Fridays.
Columbus :-
The Columbus virus is also known as Datacrime and October 13. It was named October 13 because it was activated on infected computers all over the world on October 13, 1989. Like Jerusalem, it also used to infect executable files and destroy data on the hard disk.
How to prevent computer virus?
• To protect the computer from 9 virus, we have to update the computer continuously. Because when the computer is updated, new features are added to it which protect the system from 9 virus.
• Use antivirus in the computer. Because antivirus scans the virus present in the computer and deletes it.
• If the user uses a weak password to secure the data and files in the computer, then the virus can easily steal the data and spread. Therefore, the user should always use a strong password.
• Use firewall in the computer. This is also a type of Q antivirus which protects the computer from malware like 9 virus. Firewalls protect the computer from viruses in a better way than other Q antiviruses.
• Popup blocker should be used to protect the computer from virus. When a user is browsing a browser, there are high chances of a virus entering the computer, so the user uses a popup blocker so that the virus cannot enter the computer.
Antivirus :-
The program made to find and destroy the virus in our computer is called antivirus. Antivirus is a program that finds and destroys the virus in our computer. Antivirus is very important for the computer. Antivirus informs you when a virus is active. The computer can also be scanned from time to time by antivirus. In today's time, many antiviruses are available in the market and on the Internet. Some main antiviruses are as follows-
Norton, Avira, McAfee, Avast etc.
Their auto product checks the program and email before use and makes it virus free. If any virus is getting active or has become active in your computer, then it informs you. Now the question arises that how to keep the computer safe by using antivirus-
1. To keep your computer virus free, it should be scanned by antivirus from time to time.
2. Whenever you put a separate memory in your computer, scan it with antivirus.
3. While putting a CD in the computer, check if there is any scratch on the CD. After putting the CD, scan it.
4. If you find any virus on scanning with antivirus, destroy it.
5. Scan the game before running it on the computer.
6. Never use free antivirus on your computer. Some antiviruses give you free trial, you can use it for some time and see which antivirus is working properly on your computer.
7. Keep only the antivirus that works properly on your computer in your computer.
8. Update the antivirus from time to time.
9. Buy only good antivirus for your computer, do not pay attention to free antivirus.
10. Keep only one antivirus on your computer at a time, this will keep the speed of both your computers good.
~ Thank You !
~ Previous Blog :-
https://www.bulbapp.io/p/455343f3-4c38-49ce-bd26-8945fac97750/history-of-computer-viruses
