Is It a Virus?
Saturday, October 4. 2008
Sometimes the common word isn't technically correct
I get a lot of email from people who believe their computer is infected by a virus. In most cases, it's not infected at all--evil software designers are still outnumbered by incompetent ones.
And even if there is malware involved, it's almost certainly not a virus.
The word virus refers to a very specific way that malware spreads from one PC to another. A computer virus infects an executable file, like a program, the way a biological virus infects a cell. When it gets the chance, it infects another file, and thus spreads.
Or perhaps I should say used to spread. Over the last few years, rogue programmers have found better ways to infect your computer, more suited for the Internet and email age. For instance, Trojans--programs that trick you into opening them, and infect your computer when you do--are quite popular among the tech-savvy criminal set.
Bookmark with:
Continue reading "Is It a Virus?"
