Seminar Report on Computer Virus

1. INTRODUCTION

This document covers the basics on computer viruses. Please take some time to peruse the information to obtain an overall understanding of the concern and how to safeguard yourself from the dangers of viruses. A computer virus is a computer program that can spread across computers and networks by making copies of itself, usually without the user’s knowledge. They range from displaying irritating messages to deleting all the files on your computer. A virus program has to be run before it can infect your computer. Viruses have ways of making sure that this happens. They can attach themselves to other programs or hide in code that is run automatically when you open certain types of files. The virus can copy itself to other files or disks and make changes on your computer. Virus side effects, often called the payload, are the aspect of most interest to users. Password-protecting the documents on a particular day, mailing information about the user and machine to an address somewhere are some of the harmful side effects of viruses. Various kinds of viruses include macro virus, parasitic or file virus, Boot virus. E-mails are the biggest source of viruses. Usually they come as attachments with emails. The Internet caused the spreading of viruses around the globe. The threat level depends on the particular code used in the WebPages and the security measures taken by service providers and by you. One solution to prevent the viruses is anti-virus software. Anti-virus software can detect viruses, prevent access to infected files and often eliminate the infection.

1.1 BRIEF HISTORY

John von Neumann the brilliant mathematician who helped bring us nuclear energy, game theory and quantum theory’s operating mechanics – theorized about the existence of computer viruses as Early 1944. In a series of lectures called “Theory of self reproducing automata” von Neumann contemplated the difference between computers and the human mind, and also about...