What are the two most common types of computer viruses?

Computer viruses are a lot like biological ones. Once they find a suitable host, they can replicate themselves and spread their disease to others. Both types prey on weakened defense systems and the best way to fight them off is to render them non-infective and then build up immunity. For computers, the best way to do this is to periodically replace outdated antivirus software.

To date, computer engineers have identified three major types of viruses, which can be further divided into many separate subcategories. They include:

  • Macro viruses – These are the largest of the three virus types. They use built-in programming scripts in such applications as Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word to automate the tasks. When an unsuspecting user opens a document infected by a macro virus, they give it the green light to make copies of itself in other documents and multiply.
  • Boot record infectors – These viruses are known also as boot viruses or system viruses. They attack programs stored on bootable floppy or hard disks. Every time a user boots up, the virus-infected code automatically runs as well. This gives hackers full control of an entire system and lets them do exactly what they want with it. Boot record infectors can be spread from one infected bootable disk to another.
  • File infectors – These viruses target .EXE or .COM files and changes them. File infectors get activated every time users run a compromised program. What makes this type of virus especially insidious is that it can simply stay inactive in the memory until it gets a cue to infect other program files. These viruses can get transmitted over networks, the Internet or by using infected disks.

The experts at Austin Mobile Computer Repair specialize in virus elimination. We clear infections from PCs or Macs and make sure that your antivirus software is up-to-date. When you need fast, efficient computer service, contact us. We’re your full service Austin technology repair professionals!

Call Austin Mobile Computer Repair at 512-872-2811 to handle your anti-virus needs.

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What are the different types of computer viruses?

Common Types of Computer Viruses. 1 1. Resident Virus. Resident viruses set up shop in your RAM and meddle with your system operations. They’re so sneaky that they can even attach ... 2 2. Multipartite Virus. 3 3. Direct Action. 4 4. Browser Hijacker. 5 5. Overwrite Virus. More items

How do computer viruses spread on a computer?

The general method to spread computer virus as executable files is by email. If the user opens the email and clicks on the file, the virus enters the system and affects its performance. A computer virus is also spread using USB drives, storage disks, and removable hard disks.

What are the two types of resident virus?

There are two types of resident virus: the fast infector and slow infector. Fast infectors are easy to detect due to their impact as they try to infect as many files as possible in the shortest amount of time. Slow infectors are more challenging to detect since their impact is slower and takes longer to catch.

How does a computer virus affect the system?

The virus typically spreads via multiple methods and can affect the infected system in a variety of ways depending on the OS and presence of certain files. The virus can infect both the boot sector and executable files while causing maximum havoc on the system.

What are the two types of computer virus?

Types of Computer Virus.
Boot Sector Virus – It is a type of virus that infects the boot sector of floppy disks or the Master Boot Record (MBR) of hard disks. ... .
Direct Action Virus – When a virus attaches itself directly to a .exe or .com file and enters the device while its execution is called a Direct Action Virus..

What is the most common type of computer virus?

1. Macro Viruses. One of the most common types of computer viruses are macro viruses which are designed to attach themselves to files that support shortcut codes that can be executed with a keystroke, such as Word documents and Excel spreadsheets.

What are the 3 types of computer viruses?

There are three types of computer viruses:.
Macro viruses: A macro virus can attack various applications and eventually cause a sequence of actions to start automatically when the infected program is opened. ... .
Boot record infectors: ... .
File infectors:.