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Computer
4 Viruses

Core Concepts

On completion of this chapter you will be able to know:
¨ What is a computer virus? ¨ What a virus can do?
¨ What a virus can't do? ¨ Symptoms of a computer virus
¨ Types of computer viruses ¨ Antivirus software
¨ Protecting the computer

Warm Up #Art Integration

Colour the picture given alongside.

WHAT IS A COMPUTER VIRUS?
A computer virus is a software program that has the ability to make copies of itself, and that
attaches itself to other programs or files. It disrupts the normal operation of a computer. It infects

or destroys data. It enters the computer without the permission or knowledge of the user.
VIRUS stands for Vital Information Resources Under Siege. Virus programs are self-replicating

and are continuously expanding their reach by infecting more and more computer files, resulting
in loss of speed and destruction of data. Normally, it enters through infected storage devices like
CDs, pen drives, etc. Viruses can also enter into a computer while surfing the Internet.
A computer virus is a program. It should not be confused with the medical term virus which is an

organism. However, both have the same features as far as their destructive activities are
concerned. The major difference between the two is that a biological virus causes physical harm
to our body and attacks certain cells, whereas a computer virus causes harm to the data and
programs stored in a computer by overwriting them with garbage or erasing them.

WHAT A VIRUS CAN DO?

A computer virus could be capable of any of the following:

• It can infect executable program files like Microsoft Word, Excel and operating systems.

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