Ask A Scientist© Computer Science Archive

Index Key:   COM011
Author:      kevin parenti
Subject:     Computer viruses.
I do not know much about computer viruses, but I was wondering if you
guys/gals could help me with some information.  For example, what do
computer viruses do?  What are the most popular around?

Response #:  1 of 1
Author:      asmith
"Popular"? I think "Unpopular" is more like it.  I do not know which are the
most common, but I recall one called "Michelangelo" that was a big concern 
a year or two ago.  What they do is mostly just make copies of themselves
whenever they get a chance.  For example, if there is a virus on a floppy
disk somewhere, then whenever you read a file on that disk, the virus might
try to copy itself onto any other disks on your computer.  And then those
other disks might be used in somebody else' computer, spreading the virus
around.  But some people who have programmed viruses are not very nice, and
their viruses can erase some of your data or damage your computer in other
ways.  So try to avoid them at all costs!