A program which can covertly transmit itself between computers via networks (especially the Internet) or removable storage such as CDs, USB drives, floppy disks, etc., often causing damage to systems and data
A computer virus is a program created specifically to invade computers and networks and wreak havoc on them The mischief caused can be very minor, such as causing a funny image or cryptic message to be displayed on your screen, or it can do some serious damage by altering or even destroying files
A computer virus is an executable file designed to replicate itself while avoiding detection A virus may disguise itself as a legitimate program Viruses are often rewritten and adjusted so that they will not be detected Anti-virus programs must be updated continuously to look for new and modified viruses Viruses are the number one method of computer vandalism See also: anti-virus software
A computer program that is designed to replicate itself by copying itself into the other programs stored in a computer. It may be benign or have a negative effect, such as causing a program to operate incorrectly or corrupting a computer's memory. a set of instructions secretly put into a computer, usually spread through emails, which can destroy information stored on the computer. Computer program designed to copy itself into other programs, with the intention of causing mischief or damage. A virus will usually execute when it is loaded into a computer's memory. On execution, it instructs its host program to copy the viral code into any number of other programs and files stored in the computer. The corrupted programs may continue to perform their intended functions while also executing the virus's instructions, thus further propagating it. The infection may transfer itself to other computers through storage devices, computer networks, and on-line systems. A harmless virus may simply cause a cryptic message to appear when the computer is turned on; a more damaging virus can destroy valuable data. Antivirus software may be used to detect and remove viruses from a computer, but the software must be updated frequently for protection against new viruses
A computer program that can reproduce by changing other programs to include a copy of itself It is a parasite program, needing another program to survive (Eth, Gr 8)
"A parasitic program written intentionally to enter a computer without the user's permission or knowledge The word parasitic is used because a virus attaches to files or boot sectors and replicates itself, thus continuing to spread Though some viruses do little but replicate, others can cause serious damage or affect program and system performance A virus should never be assumed harmless and left on a system " -- Symantec
virus: a software program capable of reproducing itself and usually capable of causing great harm to files or other programs on the same computer; "a true virus cannot spread to another computer without human assistance"