How does a computer virus harm the computer?

Answer 1

A classic "computer virus" was designed to spread through a system or network of computers by establishing itself on files within the operating system, and then sending out copies of itself when these files were accessed. When it had spread from computer to computer, it would execute to affect all of the computers it had spread to, causing harm in some way, like continuous pop-ups or programs to cause computers to crash or reboot.

What is commonly termed a "virus" today is a "worm" or "trojan" that is designed to be downloaded and activated unknowingly by the computer's owner. There are numerous functions of trojans and worms. Some can make files unusable, or change their names on the hard drive. Others are designed to collect personal information from the computer, either by accessing files or by intercepting e-mails and data transfers. Some will log the keystrokes of a user to discover filenames and passwords.

Modern antivirus programs are designed to

-- stop viruses and trojans from entering the operating system

-- prevent them from executing once they are there

-- to remove them if they are found later.

Answer 2

When you get a computer virus your computer may get random pop-ups trying to make you download something or sell something to you. It can also spread itself across your P.C files and make it harder for you to remove it. If you do not have anti-virus software and are an inexperienced online user you should really get an anti-virus or just be more carful of what sites you go on.

Answer 3

Anything you can normally do on a computer and more. It can be coded to record every single keystroke you make and tell it to another computer, or destroy files that contain certain words, or erase part of the sytem itself.

Answer 4

A Virus is something that may delete files and/or make your computer run slow.

Most often the slowness comes as a result of tasks the computer is hijacked to perform, such as sending out spam or being recruited to launch distributed denial of service (DDOS) attacks against other networks. Spam viruses also copy your e-mail address book to send bulk unsolicited commercial e-mail (spam), like advertisements for reproductive organ growth enhancement drugs, multilevel home based marketing campaigns, diet pills, pharmaceuticals, etc. Keystroke harvesting viruses may also search your computer for passwords.

Viruses exploit vulnerabilities that your computer may have. They can replicate in networks, infecting many computers (just like human viruses). Viruses inhibit a computer's performance, just as any additional tasks robs your PC of clock cycles. Some of the vicious things viruses do include: display obscene messages, delete files, mimic apparent hardware malfunctions, 'freeze' the system, 'swap around' keyboard characters, and so on.

Viruses also copy themselves into other executable files and onto other drives like floppy disks, external or USB drives. There are also many types of viruses such as Trojans (programs that mimic some fun game or useful utility like a software font), worms, malware, spyware and many more that are more dangerous to your computer.

Some common viruses pretend to be antivirus software notifying you that your computer is infected, and requesting that you purchase "antivirus software" from them. These viruses essentially hold your computer hostage, and usually even after you pay the ransom you don't get your files back. The proper way to deal with any virus is to find software tools to remove them. These include Microsoft's Malicious Software Removal Tool, rkill (which terminates some memory resident viruses--but requires other tools to prevent the virus from executing on reboot), MalwareBytes, or one of the legitimate paid services like Norton Antivirus or McAfee Associates.

Answer 5

Severity meter:

1. nothing, just reproduce and make your computer slow
2. stealing passwords
3. leading an email raid on German security providers (it's happened)
4. assess your address book and sending emails out to your friends (you care about them, right?)
5. assessing your files
6. assess your system
7. erasing you main drive from all .jpg, .jpeg, .avi, etc. (media) files
8. total system failure

Answer 6

Computer Viruses can harm your computer in MANY ways! Some of the most common kinds and effects of viruses are:

Repetitive Launch: From the time you boot up, your computer slows down at a faster and faster rate.

BIOS Corrupting: This kind plays games with your computer's core programs.

Lockup: This kind causes your computer to lockup almost right away.

Screen Cover: This kind virtually covers your screen with an image or video. This can make it look as if your computer is unresponsive.

OS Deletion: This kind systematically deletes your entire Operating system (example: it will empty your entire Windows folder).

Random Deletion: This will randomly delete files on your computer.

Other: There are other kinds as well, that are not as common.

Answer 7

Virus can

• can have a glicth or something harming
• Corrupt the operating system
• can shut down and restart and then error and say virus detected

Answer 8

Anything from nothing to giving you a pain in the butt to ultimate system failure, with hackers able to assess you computer in the middle.

Answer 9

A COMPUTER VIRUS IS A SOFTWARE PROGRAM DESIGED TO REPLICATE IT SELF AND SPREAD TO OTHER MACHINES . IN MOST CASES, THE TERM "COMPUTER VIRUS" INCLUDE ALL FORM OF MALWARE, OR MILICIOUS SOFTWARE US.