Why virus is called virus?

Answer 1

Viruses are called viruses because, like real-world viruses (e.g., influenza and so on), they 'infect' a computer and often spread throughout it by making copies of themselves and making their code part of other programs. Viruses don't usually spread from computer to computer on their own, instead relying on users to pass on infected files or copies of the virus to other users, such as by email.

Answer 2

The term "virus" comes from Latin, meaning "poison" or "slimy liquid." It was applied to infectious agents that can cause diseases due to their ability to replicate inside living cells.