How do computer viruses work?
Computer viruses are malicious software that self-replicate and spread by infecting other computers. When a computer is infected with a virus, the virus inserts its own code into the victim’s code in order to replicate itself. This can cause the victim’s program to malfunction or even crash.
Viruses can be spread in a number of ways, including via email attachments, downloads, and diskettes. Once a computer is infected, the virus can spread to other computers on the same network.
There are a variety of different types of computer viruses, including Trojan horses, worms, and spyware. Some viruses are designed to cause damage to a computer system, while others may be created for more malicious purposes, such as stealing confidential information.
Most computer viruses are relatively harmless and will not cause any serious damage to a system. However, some viruses can be very destructive and can result in the loss of important data or the crashing of a computer system.
There are many steps that can be taken in order to protect a computer from becoming infected with a virus. These steps include installing and regularly updating antivirus software, avoiding dubious email attachments and downloads, and being cautious when using diskettes or other removable media..Visit Site
The Top 10 most dangerous computer viruses of 2020
The Top 10 most dangerous computer viruses of 2020
Malware, short for “malicious software,” is any program or file that is harmful to a computer user. Malware includes computer viruses, worms, Trojan horses, and spyware. These malicious programs can perform a variety of tasks, including stealing confidential information, corrupting data, or disrupting normal computer operation.
Some malware is designed to spread itself from one computer to another, using email attachments or networks. This can cause a widespread infection, especially if the malware is designed to take advantage of weaknesses in common software programs.
While there are many different types of malware, some are more dangerous than others. The following is a list of the top 10 most dangerous computer viruses of 2020:
1. WannaCry
WannaCry is a ransomware virus that first appeared in May of 2017. It quickly spread around the globe, infecting more than 200,000 computers in 150 countries. WannaCry took advantage of a security flaw in Microsoft Windows, known as the “EternalBlue” exploit. Once a computer was infected with WannaCry, the virus would encrypt the user’s files and demand a ransom of $300-$600 in Bitcoin in order to decrypt the files.
While WannaCry was eventually stopped by a security researcher who found and activated a “kill switch,” the damage had already been done. The WannaCry attack caused an estimated $4 billion in damage and highlighted the need for better cyber security.
2. NotPetya
NotPetya is a ransomware virus that first appeared in June of 2017. Unlike WannaCry, which targeted individual users, NotPetya was designed to attack businesses. The virus spread quickly, infecting computers in more than 60 countries.
NotPetya took advantage of the same EternalBlue exploit as WannaCry, but also added others, such as the “Petya” exploit. Once a computer was infected, the virus would encrypt the user’s files and demand a ransom of $300-$600 in Bitcoin in order to decrypt the files.
However, unlike WannaCry, there was no “kill switch” for NotPetya. This made it much harder to stop the spread of the virus. The NotPetya attack caused an estimated $10 billion in damage and highlighted the need for better cyber security.
3. Emotet
Emotet is a virus that first appeared in 2014. It is primarily a banking trojan, meaning it is designed to steal financial information from infected computers. However, Emotet has also been used to spread other forms of malware, such as ransomware and viruses.
Emotet spread quickly, infecting more than 10 million computers in just a few years. The virus is spread through email attachments and infected websites. Once a computer is infected, Emotet will steal financial information and login credentials. It will then use this information to commit fraud or spread the infection to other computers.
4.Ryuk
Ryuk is a ransomware virus that first appeared in August of 2018. It is thought to be created by the same group that created NotPetya. Ryuk is primarily spread through email attachments. Once a computer is infected, the virus will encrypt the user’s files and demand a ransom of $300-$600 in Bitcoin in order to decrypt the files.
Ryuk has been used in a number of high-profile attacks, including an attack on the City of Atlanta that caused more than $2.6 million in damage. Ryuk is a particularly dangerous virus because it is very difficult to remove from an infected computer.
5. Trickbot
Trickbot is a virus that first appeared in 2016. It is primarily a banking trojan, meaning it is designed to steal financial information from infected computers. Trickbot is spread through email attachments and infected websites. Once a computer is infected, Trickbot will steal financial information and login credentials. It will then use this information to commit fraud or spread the infection to other computers.
Trickbot is particularly dangerous because it is constantly evolving. The virus is constantly being updated with new features that allow it to evade detection and steal more information. Trickbot is also used to spread other forms of malware, such as ransomware.
6. Dridex
Dridex is a virus that first appeared in 2011. It is primarily a banking trojan, meaning it is designed to steal financial information from infected computers. Dridex is spread through email attachments and infected websites. Once a computer is infected, Dridex will steal financial information and login credentials. It will then use this information to commit fraud or spread the infection to other computers.
Dridex is particularly dangerous because it is constantly evolving. The virus is constantly being updated with new features that allow it to evade detection and steal more information. Dridex is also used to spread other forms of malware, such as ransomware.
7. CryptoLocker
CryptoLocker is a ransomware virus that first appeared in 2013. It is spread through email attachments and infected websites. Once a computer is infected, the virus will encrypt the user’s files and demand a ransom of $300-$600 in Bitcoin in order to decrypt the files.
CryptoLocker is particularly dangerous because it is very difficult to remove from an infected computer. The virus has also been used to spread other forms of malware, such as the Dridex virus.
8. Locky
Locky is a ransomware virus that first appeared in 2016. It is spread through email attachments and infected websites. Once a computer is infected, the virus will encrypt the user’s files and demand a ransom of $300-$600 in Bitcoin in order to decrypt the files.
Locky is particularly dangerous because it is very difficult to remove from an infected computer. The virus has also been used to spread other forms of malware, such as the Dridex virus.
9. Zeus
Zeus is a virus that first appeared in 2007. It is primarily a banking trojan, meaning it is designed to steal financial information from infected computers. Zeus is spread through email attachments and infected websites. Once a computer is infected, Zeus will steal financial information and login credentials. It will then use this information to commit fraud or spread the infection to other computers.
Zeus is particularly dangerous because it is very difficult to remove from an infected computer. The virus has also been used to spread other forms of malware, such as the Dridex virus.
10. Cerber
Cerber is a ransomware virus that first appeared in 2016. It is spread through email attachments and infected websites. Once a computer is infected, the virus will encrypt the user’s files and demand a ransom of $300-$600 in Bitcoin in order to decrypt the files.
Cerber is particularly dangerous because it is very difficult to remove from an infected computer. The virus has also been used to spread other forms of malware, such as the Dridex virus.
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