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What's The Deal With Computer Viruses

The Life Cycle Of A Computer Virus?

Viruses embed themselves into the code of software; they are harmless until the infected program is actually started (executed). Once you have started an infected application or opened an infected file, the virus in it can spread to other applications and files on the computer. If this happens, software or files you send to friends, family, or coworkers via diskette, the Internet, or Local Area Network may be infected, passing the virus to their computers.

*Who Writes Viruses- and Why?*

Viruses can be written by anyone, anywhere in the world, who has enough programming skills. In most cases, it doesn't even take that much time. It could include researchers for demonstration purposes and in some cases, they can be written by pranksters. In many cases, these viruses get passed around and can be altered by other people.

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