Virus is a program is hidden within another program or file, designed to cause damage to file systems.
Common types of computer viruses
Common types of computer viruses
Description
Resident virus
Resident viruses set up shop in your RAM and meddle with your system operations. They’re so sneaky that they can even attach themselves to your anti-virus software files.
Multipartite virus
This virus infects the entire system. Multipartite viruses spread by performing unauthorized actions on your operating system, folders, and programs.
Direct action
This virus targets a specific file type, most commonly executable files (.exe), by replicating and infecting files. Due to its targeted nature, this virus type is one of the easier ones to detect and remove.
Browser hijacker
Easily detected, this virus type infects your browser and redirects you to malicious websites.
Overwrite virus
Like the name implies, overwrite viruses overwrite file content to infect entire folders, files, and programs.
Web scripting virus
This sneaky virus disguises itself in the coding of links, ads, images, videos, and site code. It can infect systems when users download malicious files or visit malicious websites.
File infector
By targeting executable files (.exe), file infector viruses slow down programs and damage system files when a user runs them.
Network virus
Network viruses travel through network connections and replicate themselves through shared resources.
Boot sector virus
One of the easier viruses to avoid, this virus hides out in a file on a USB drive or email attachment. When activated, it can infect the system’s master boot record to damage the system.