How to Make a Computer Virus
A computer virus can be created maliciously by anyone who wants to cause harm to computers or systems. They are hidden pieces of code that hitch to other programs or applications, and once activated they spread like wildfire. Viruses are usually found attached to documents or programs that were downloaded from the internet or sent via email. The majority of countries believe that the spreading of computer viruses is a crime.
In the world of computer viruses, there are many different types that can infect machines in different ways. Some computer viruses are dependent on an application to begin their work. Others are autonomous and can infect multiple systems without the need for a host. A computer virus that uses host programs to infect computers is usually considered to be a worm but those that don’t employ the method of infection used by other programs are believed to be viruses.
Certain viruses infect a system immediately upon entry, whereas others remain dormant, and only activate when the user executes the code. The first computer virus, created in 1974, and akin to biological viruses, multiplied quickly and caused damage to the system. One example of damaging viruses is the Stuxnet virus specifically designed to destroy computerized centrifuges that were used to enrich uranium.
The process of making viruses can be quite complex and is not suitable for the faint of heart. However, it can be a fun and exciting way to test your knowledge of computer programming languages and systems. If you are willing to put in the effort and time, there are many sources that will help you create viruses.