Did you know that the first computer virus was called the “Creeper” virus. It was discovered in the early 1970s, and it infected the ARPANET, which was the precursor to the modern internet. The virus displayed a message that said "I'm the creeper, catch me if you can!" on infected computers.
A computer virus is a type of malware that is designed to spread from one computer to another. It is usually spread through email attachments, infected websites, or infected software downloads. Once a computer is infected with a virus, the virus can spread to other computers on the same network or through external storage devices like USB drives. The damage caused by a virus can range from minor annoyances like pop-up ads to serious issues like data theft or system crashes. The followings are some of the well known computer viruses.
In 1988, the “Morris Worm” was one of the first computer viruses to gain widespread media attention. It was developed by Robert Tappan Morris and was designed to exploit vulnerabilities in Unix systems. The worm spread rapidly and caused significant disruptions to internet traffic.
In 2000, the “ILOVEYOU” virus was spread through email attachments that were disguised as love letters. The virus infected millions of computers worldwide and caused billions of dollars in damages.
In 2008, the “Conficker” virus was designed to exploit vulnerabilities in Windows operating systems. It spread rapidly and infected millions of computers worldwide. Its purpose remains unknown, but it is believed to have been designed for cyber espionage or as a platform for distributed denial-of-service attacks.
Here are some steps you can take to help prevent computer viruses:
- Install antivirus software: Make sure your computer has reputable antivirus software installed, and keep it updated regularly.
- Keep your operating system and software up-to-date with the latest security patches and bug fixes. This can help prevent vulnerabilities that viruses could exploit.
- Use strong passwords: Use strong passwords that are difficult to guess. This can help prevent unauthorized access to your accounts, which can lead to virus infections.
- Be cautious with email attachments and downloads: Don't open email attachments or download files from unknown or suspicious sources. These could contain viruses or other types of malware.
- Use a pop-up blocker: Use a pop-up blocker to prevent malicious pop-up windows from appearing on your screen, as these can sometimes contain viruses.
- Be cautious on social media and other websites: Be careful what you click on when browsing the internet, particularly on social media sites. Some links or ads could lead to virus infections.
- Back up your data: Regularly back up important data and files to an external hard drive or cloud storage service. This can help you recover from a virus infection without losing important data.
By following these tips, you can help reduce the risk of a computer virus infecting your system.
