Knowra Computer virus Computer virus A malicious program that replicates by inserting copies of itself into other programs or files. It spreads when infected programs or files are executed or shared.
Virus infection : The process by which a computer virus inserts or attaches its code to a host file or program. Infection creates the host copies a virus needs to replicate.
Creeper (program) : An experimental program written by Bob Thomas in 1971 that moved between computers on ARPANET and displayed a message. Creeper is an early self-replicating program, though it was not a malicious virus.
Antivirus software : Software designed to detect, block, quarantine, or remove malicious programs. Antivirus tools scan files and monitor activity to stop virus infections.
Malware : Software designed to harm, exploit, or gain unauthorized access to computer systems or data. Viruses are one subtype within this larger family of malicious software.
Computer security incident : An event that compromises or threatens the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of a computer system or its data. A virus outbreak is one kind of incident, ranging from a single infected file to widespread disruption.
Virus payload : The part of malicious code that performs an action beyond replication, such as deleting files or displaying a message. A virus can carry a payload that activates after infection or a trigger.
Elk Cloner : A 1982 Apple II program that spread through floppy disks and displayed a poem after repeated use. It is an early known personal-computer virus distributed through removable media.
Computer security : The practice of protecting computer systems, networks, and data from unauthorized access, damage, or disruption. Virus defense is one part of the broader effort to secure computing systems.
Trojan horse (computing) : Malicious software disguised as legitimate software that does not replicate by infecting host files. A Trojan can deceive users but lacks the defining replication mechanism of a virus.
Signature-based detection : A detection method that identifies known threats by matching files or activity against stored patterns. Virus outbreaks drove the use of recognizable code signatures for rapid identification.
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