What are Virus?

The Double-Edged Sword of Computer Technology: How Viruses Evolved to Become the Ultimate Cybersecurity Threat

A "virus" in the context of cybersecurity is a harmful piece of software that can affect the functionality of a device, predominantly computers, in a detrimental way. The term was coined in analogy to a biological virus, as the common characteristic between the two is the ability to reproduce and spread. This term emanates from the adverse effects a virus brings about to a computer system, similar to the affliction a biological virus manifests in a living organism.

A computer virus latches itself onto a program or document and has the potential to multiply itself uncontrollably, much like a biological virus. This ability to replicate itself is a defining characteristics of a virus. When one becomes active, it may lead to a ripple effect causing destruction throughout your entire computer system. It infiltrates the command sequence of a device, altering it to the benefit of the malefactor. This may be in form of deleting data, displaying unwanted messages, or shutting down the system bit by bit, rendering it entirely dysfunctional.

Unlike worms, viruses are unable to propagate by themselves; they need a host. Fire, for instance, does not extinguish until it has consumed whatever it is that's feeding it. Similarly, a computer virus spreads by attaching itself to legitimate programs and running code when the user launches one of those infected programs.

Computer viruses operate by inserting or attaching themselves to a legitimate program or document that supports macros to execute their code. When a user launches the infected program, the virus's code is executed simultaneously. Then, the virus can propagate, infect other programs, and carry out damaging actions. Viruses typically execute when a user launches the infected application or program, but they can also operate in the background without a user's knowledge or interaction.

Viruses have the potential to ravage system software while bearing semblance to legitimate applications, ranging from benign to utterly destructive outcomes. Their damages may vary, some may serve just to cause chaos, others to promote illegal authority over networks, steal sensitive data or cause financial harm.

Antiviruses come into play as the main defensive measure against such harmful software. An antivirus is a program that searches your hard drive and external data storage devices for any known or potential viruses. The antivirus software scans every file you open, providing constant protection in real-time, or checks your computer system periodically. The protective software usuallly employs a variety of strategies to ascertain and neutralize threats, such as signature-based detection, heuristic-based detection, and behavior-based detection.

Signature-based detection relies on a catalogue of known virus signatures, i.e., specific sequences of bytes or specific instructions in the virus code. Upon encountering a piece of code that matches a signature in its database, the antivirus program identifies it as a virus and takes action accordingly.

Heuristic-based detection employs algorithms to differentiate between regular code and potential malicious code. It is optimal to detect new viruses or variants of existing viruses. Lastly, behavior-based detection observes how the program operates – it watching for suspicious behavior.

In synopsis, a computer virus is a malicious software that latches onto a host program and often replicates itself to wreak havoc in a computer system. They can cause a variety of damages, promoting chaos, taking control of networks or stealing sensitive information. To counteract these harmful software, antivirus software is employed; which uses different strategies to detect and neutralize threats such as signature-based detection, heuristic-based detection, and behavior-based detection.

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