A computer virus can be created maliciously by anyone wishing to damage systems or computers. They are hidden bits of code which are linked to different programs or applications and once activated, they spread like wildfire. Typically, viruses can be found in a document or program downloaded from the internet or sent via email. Most countries believe that spreading and creating computer viruses is a crime.
There are many different types of computer viruses which can attack computers in a variety of ways. Some depend on a program to begin their work and others are self-contained and can infect multiple systems without the need for the host. A computer virus that makes use of a host program to infect computers is usually considered to be a worm, but those that don’t make use of the method used to infect by other programs are considered to be viruses.
Some viruses infect a system immediately upon arrival, while others remain dormant, and only become active when the user executes the code. The first computer virus was developed in 1974 and similar to biological viruses, multiplied itself quickly and caused damage to the system. Stuxnet is an example of an extremely destructive computer virus. It was created to destroy computerized centrifuges that were used to enrich uranium.
The process of creating viruses can be complicated and isn’t for those who are not experienced. However, it is a fun and interesting method of testing your knowledge of computer programming languages and systems. There are a lot of resources that can teach you how to make a virus if are willing and willing to put into the effort.