A computer virus is a malicious program that can infect a computer system by replicating itself and modifying other programs or files on the computer without the user's knowledge or consent. The virus can spread through email attachments, infected files downloaded from the internet, or by exploiting vulnerabilities in software or operating systems.
Once a virus infects a computer, it can execute various actions, including deleting or modifying files, stealing personal information, or using the computer to launch attacks on other computers or networks. Some viruses can even disable antivirus software or prevent the user from accessing certain websites or applications.
Components
Viruses typically have two main components: a replication mechanism and a payload. The replication mechanism allows the virus to spread to other computers, while the payload is the actual malicious code that the virus executes on the infected system.
To protect against viruses, it's important to have up-to-date antivirus software installed on your computer, avoid downloading files or attachments from unknown sources, and keep your operating system and software updated with the latest security patches.
