Computer Viruses: Symptoms and Prevention

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Questions and Answers

What is the main purpose of a computer virus?

To protect the computer from external threats

To replicate itself and infect computer systems (correct)

To provide additional features to computer software

To improve the performance of the computer

Which of the following is a symptom of a virus-infected computer?

Faster system performance

Unchanged program sizes

Files refusing to open

Corrupted hard disk data (correct)

What is malware?

Software that protects computers from viruses and worms

Software embedded in non-malicious files to enhance their performance

Any software used to disrupt computer operation or gain unauthorized access (correct)

Software that improves computer performance

Where does a boot sector virus reside?

In the master boot record of a hard disk or the boot sector of a floppy disk Signup and view all the answers

What type of virus attaches itself to program files?

File virus Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary intention of malware?

To act against the requirements of the computer user Signup and view all the answers

What type of virus activates when it detects a certain condition?

Logic bomb Signup and view all the answers

Which type of malware generates pop-ups that resemble Windows system messages?

Scare-ware Signup and view all the answers

What type of malware presents unwanted advertisements to the user of a computer?

Adware Signup and view all the answers

How does a polymorphic virus behave when it attaches itself to another program or file?

It modifies its program code Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of scare-ware?

To trick victims into purchasing and downloading useless software Signup and view all the answers

In what way does a Trojan horse behave?

It hides within or looks like a legitimate program Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary method of spreading viruses through emails known as?

E-mail attachments Signup and view all the answers

What should be done before opening any email attachment to prevent virus infection?

Install an antivirus utility and update its definitions frequently Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of spyware?

To gather information about a person or organization without their knowledge Signup and view all the answers

What is the behavior of a worm?

It copies itself repeatedly in memory or on a disk drive Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Computer Virus Overview

Primary purpose is to replicate and spread to other computers, often causing harm to system files and data.
Symptoms of a virus-infected computer may include slow performance, frequent crashes, and unexpected pop-ups.

Malware Definition

Malware, short for malicious software, is designed to harm, exploit, or otherwise compromise a computer system.

Virus Types and Locations

Boot sector viruses reside in the boot sector of storage devices, affecting the startup process.
Program file viruses attach themselves to executable files, manipulating the code to execute malicious actions.

Malware Intentions

The primary intention of malware is to damage, disrupt, or gain unauthorized access to computer systems and data.
Certain viruses activate only when specific conditions are met, often known as condition-based or triggered viruses.

Specific Types of Malware

Adware generates unwanted advertisements, often in the form of pop-ups, targeting users during their browsing experience.
Scareware uses deceptive tactics to convince users that their system is infected, prompting them to purchase useless security software.
Trojan horses disguise themselves as legitimate software but can facilitate unauthorized access and data theft.

Virus Propagation

Email attachments are a common method of spreading viruses, often requiring the user to open a malicious file.
Precautions before opening email attachments include running antivirus scans and ensuring the sender is trustworthy.

Spyware and Worm Behavior

Spyware monitors user activity without their consent, collecting sensitive information such as login credentials.
Worms are self-replicating malware that spread across networks without needing a host file, often consuming bandwidth and causing system slowdowns.

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Description

Test your knowledge about computer viruses and their effects on computer systems. Learn about the symptoms of virus infection and how to prevent them from spreading.