The Conduit for Computer Viruses
...n programming code that can erase programs, corrupt data, or render a computer unusable. Computers infected with viruses can spread the virus to other computers through a variety of means. Identifying the transmission methods of computer viruses is imperative in order to implement adequate security measures to protect other computers from being infected. The primary methods of transmitting computer viruses are emails, web sites, and sharing files. Email is the most common method to transmit computer viruses from one computer to another. The hacker can send an email with the virus attached for the recipient to open. To trick the recipient into opening the virus-embedded attachment, the hacker often gives the file a seemingly harmless name such as “Hi” or “I love you.” When the email recipient opens the attachment, the virus saves itself to the computer’s hard drive where it can either run immediately or remain dormant to run at a specified date and time. Once inside the computer, the virus can cause the computer’s email program to forward the virus to everyone in the recipient’s email address book. This replication process causes a chain reaction that can flood email servers with viruses and infect millions of computers within a few days. Utilizing email is not the only way hackers use the Internet to spread their evil creations. Hidden programs stored on web sites can transmit a virus to any user who visits that web site. Virus transmissions via web sites are not as common as email transmissions, but the consequences can be just as devastating. Once the user connects his/her computer to the infected web site, the virus can download itself onto the computer’s hard drive and start the same chain of events that email viruses can create. File sharing between computers, unlike emails or web sites, does not require the Internet to be the carrier of the virus. Individuals may inadvertently, or knowingly, save files infected with viruses onto floppy disks, CD’s, or other types of computer storage media. Inserting the media into ano...