computer virus
Self-replicating malware
A computer virus is a malicious program that replicates itself by inserting copies into other programs or files, spreading when those infected files are shared or executed.
The biological metaphor is apt: like its namesake, a computer virus spreads from host to host and can cause harm ranging from minor annoyance to catastrophic data loss.
The virus corrupted thousands of files before anyone noticed.
- wormLimbless soil invertebrate
- malwareHarmful computer programs
- botnetRemotely controlled infected computers
- ransomwareHostage-taking code
- spywareHidden surveillance program
bug · rootkit · self-replicating · data loss · backdoor · code injection · payload · Melissa · email attachment · infection · polymorphic · keylogger · identity theft · phishing · zero-day exploit · intrusion · zombie · security breach
- copyingcopying, copy, plagiarism, repeating, duplicating
- deceptionslie, lies, lying, deceit, decoy
- Trojan Horsewooden horse, Odysseus, Troy
computer virusantivirus software
Malware detection program
antivirus · security software · virus protection · antimalware · firewall
virus, computer, compute, computing, virulent, computers, viruses, computed, computation