Viruses
A virus is one of the oldest types of software that fits the definition of malware. It may also be one of the most frequently misunderstood. The term virus is frequently used to refer to all kinds of malware.
Before getting too far into a discussion of viruses, it is important to have a clear understanding of what viruses are and which behaviors they exhibit. A virus is a piece of code or software that spreads from system to system by attaching itself to other files. When the file is accessed, the virus is activated. The code then carries out whatever attack or action the author wishes to execute, such as corrupting or outright destroying data.
Viruses have a long history, one that shows how this form of malware was adapted and evolved ...
Get Ethical Hacking: Techniques, Tools, and Countermeasures, 4th Edition now with the O’Reilly learning platform.
O’Reilly members experience books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.
