3 different types computer viruses

Worms can also run, self-replicate, and propagate without any triggers. Currently, experts have identified three major types of viruses, which can be further divided into subcategories. They include:. Macro viruses — The largest of the three virus types, macro viruses use built-in programming scripts that are found in Excel or Word to automate tasks. When an unsuspecting end-user opens the infected document, it multiplies by making copies of itself. Boot record infectors — Boot viruses, or system viruses, attack programs found on floppy and hard disks.

Each time an end-user boots up, the virus will run automatically. Hackers can gain full access to an entire system to do what they one. Boot record infectors can spread to every infected bootable disk. File infectors — These types of viruses are designed to locate and modify. EXE or. COM files. Each time an end-user runs a compromised program, the file infectors activate. Unfortunately, file infectors can also stay inactive in the system memory until activation.

In addition, file infectors are transmitted over networks. To date, computer viruses have been around for over 60 years. What was once self-contained and harmless has quickly escalated to cyber crime. Viruses are evolving. Threat actors are using more sophisticated techniques to create new methods of infection.

If you want an example of what is to come, study the Trojan virus -- it is difficult to detect, challenging to remove, and circumvents many cyber defenses.

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Typical signs of computer virus infections include: Ongoing crashes and blue screen errors Slow performance Missing files Low storage Unexpected behavior Constant browser pop-ups Unidentifiable programs Increased network activity Disabled security software.

More High Touch Videos. Here, we illustrate how you can recognize nine common computer viruses. Costs of Cyberattacks. It takes days on average to identify and contain a breach.

Repeat Computer Viruses. In a survey of 1, security professionals, Cybereason found that 4 in 5 businesses that chose to pay ransoms suffered a second ransomware attack. Computer Virus-Related Identity Theft. In , the FTC received about 1. Common Types of Computer Viruses 1. Multipartite Virus This virus infects the entire system — multipartite viruses spread by performing unauthorized actions on your operating system, folders, and programs.

Direct Action This virus targets a specific file type, most commonly executable files. Browser Hijacker Easily detected, this virus type infects your browser and redirects you to malicious websites. Such hiccups in computer security software are rare. What isn't rare is the damage caused by the malicious software known as malware that antivirus software is designed to thwart.

Last year hackers stole approximately million credit card numbers, according to an Internet Security Threat Report released this month by security software maker Symantec. David Perry, global director of education for security software maker Trend Micro, is a year veteran of fighting malware. He gave TechNewsDaily a guided tour of malware's trinity, the three most likely sources of malware infection. Ground Zero for malware is the Internet itself.

The Web is by far the most common vector for malware infection, Perry said. Users don't even have to click anything on websites to infect their computers. Just looking is enough. Forsaking Internet Explorer and replacing it with another browser such as Firefox won't give you much protection either, Perry said. Malware is basically equal opportunity when it comes to browsers and browser plug-ins.

A Trojan downloader is the most common malicious software to get hit with, he said.