subject: Types Of Computer Virus [print this page] Computer Viruses are developed to perform malicious activities on a computer. There are different types of computer viruses like malware, adware, Trojan horse, and spyware. Every computer virus attacks the computer in a different way. Computer viruses spread over a network by infecting networking file system or file system that is accessed by another computer.
Computer virus can infect any computer and can cause severe damage to it. Installing an updated antivirus program is the best way to protect your computer against viruses. There are numerous types of computer viruses prevailing in the Web and computers around.
Simple Virus
Simple virus targets program file and it executes itself when you run that program. This virus attaches itself to other programs automatically.
Encrypted Virus
Antivirus software can easily track most of the computer viruses. Encrypted virus is the virus, which couldnt be trapped by antivirus software due to its encrypted code.
Polymorphic Virus
Developer of polymorphic virus encrypts the virus signature, which makes it more difficult for antivirus to detect the virus. Polymorphic virus could only be detected by special codes written specifically for polymorphic virus.
Macro Virus
Macro Virus as its name suggests is a mini-program that runs inside other program. Basically, Macro viruses are scripts that are specially written to infect the computer. They can spread quickly because they infect popular application used in daily computing activities.
Trojan horse
Trojan horse is a kind of virus, which is embedded in an application or software, and installs itself on your computer along with installation of that program.
Worms
Worms are self replicating and can spread in many computers connected in a network. To protect your PC from worm you need software with antivirus and firewall.
