Different Types of Virus on Computer

Last Updated on 2 years by Touhid

A computer virus is a program that has designed to perform malicious actions and spread one computer to another computer by itself without the user’s acknowledgement. Computer virus can spread through different ways such as removable media, downloads free software, visiting vulnerable website, clicking on infected advertisement and e-mail attachments. In this post, we will discuss on common types of virus on computer.

Types of Virus on Computer

Computer virus is a piece of program or code that executed on computer or a system. There are different types of virus on computer which will discuss in this article. The main purpose of creating of a computer virus is to gain unauthorized access, steal sensitive information, corrupting or destroying data and affects the smooth functioning of the computer. So, it is very important that you should know the computer viruses and how they installed on your computer. Typically, computer viruses never infect naturally, they always installed or infect by the computer user.

What are the most common types of virus on computer? The common types of computer virus in computer are as follows:

  1. Boot Sector Virus
  2. Direct Action Virus
  3. Resident Virus
  4. Macro Virus
  5. Multipartite Virus
  6. File Infector Virus
  7. Browser Hijacker
  8. Polymorphic Virus
  9. Web Scripting Virus

Types of Virus on Computer

1. Boot Sector Virus on Computer

A boot sector virus is types of virus on computer or malware that infects the boot sector of floppy disks or the Master Boot Record (MBR) of hard disks. MBR is a small program and first sector of the computer hard drive that identifies how the hard drive is partitioned and how to load the operating system. The MBR executes every time the computer starts up and its controls the boot sequence.

This type of virus is activated every time when you start your computer and take control when you start or boot your computer.

Examples: Some examples of Boot Sector Virus are: Form, Disk Killer, Michelangelo, and Stone virus

How Boot Sector Virus spread on Computer?

The boot sector viruses usually spread via infected physical media such as a floppy disk or USB drive. Boot sector virus also infected by malware if you downloaded malicious software or received via email attachments.

However, the boot sector viruses essentially accomplish the following way:

  • The virus can overwrites or copies the master boot program to another part of the hard disk.
  • The computer can infected when it boots up or accesses the infected floppy disk
  • Finally, generate bad disk sectors

Tips 

It is very difficult to removing a boot sector virus from computer because it may encrypt the boot sector. However, the best way to prevent the boot sector virus is to use antivirus software. There are also some specific tips that relate directly to boot sector viruses.

  • Installing a malware removal tool
  • Update your antivirus software and malware protection
  • Don’t download suspicious documents
  • Careful use of USB device on your computer

Boot sector virus is types of virus on computer

2. Direct Action Virus in Computer

direct action virus is a types of virus in cyber security that replicates and infects files in folders immediately. Its main targets a certain types of files, typically .exe and .com files. This types of virus will execute or active when you click on the infected file or a file which containing a virus. Otherwise, the virus will remain hidden.

It is noted, that direct action virus does not delete any files or impact on computer performance and speed, and it only makes your files inaccessible.

Tips

You can easily detect and remove the direct action virus by installing anti-virus program.

3. Resident Virus

A resident virus is types of virus on computer that hides and stores itself within the computer’s memory. This virus can infect any file that is run by the computer. It installing malicious code into the Random access memory (RAM) of your computer and infecting the programs.

Example: Some popular resident viruses are CMJ, Meve, and Randex.

How Resident Virus Spread on Computer?

Suppose, a user running multiple programs at the same time for his personal reasons. If Resident Virus actives and the user open a program (i.e., PowerPoint) then the virus will infect all those running programs.

Tips

Here are the some simple steps to find out and remove the resident virus from your computer.

  1. Go to Strat -> Type Task Manager and Click on the Process Tab
  2. Find out the Resident Virus and Click on End Task
  3. Go to Strat -> Type “regedit” and Click on Yes for “Registry Editor
  4. Now, expand the “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE” and press “Ctrl+F”, then type a Resident Virus name
  5. Delete the suspected files by right-clicking

4. Macro Virus in Computer

A macro virus is types of virus in computer which is written by macro language such as VBA. The Macro virus spreads one computer to other computer through software applications programs such as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Microsoft Excel .

The Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel are two most popular applications programs which are capable of executing macros. When a macro virus infects an application program, then it can create new files, move text, corrupt data, send files, and insert pictures.

Macro Virus spread through applications programs

How Do Spread Macro Viruses in Computer?

Macro viruses are spread whenever you open an infected file or document. However, here is the most common ways that macro viruses can spread:

  • Through phishing emails
  • Sharing files on a disk or a Network
  • Download and opening an email attachment file
  • Downloading and opening a file from internet

Tips

In order to protect from macro virus you should use antivirus software. There has professional anti-virus software such as Norton, BitdefenderKasperskyPandaESETAvastAVG. So, you can use one of them and keep updated with update version.

5. Multipartite Virus on Computer

A multipartite virus is special types of fast-moving virus on computer that can attack both the boot sector and the system or the program files at the same time. This type of virus can spread by performing unauthorized activities on your operating system, files, folders, and programs.

Tips

It is very difficult to detect and remove the Multipartite Virus from your computer because it spreading very fast. However, here are the some tips on how to avoid any types of computer virus and the multipartite virus also.

  • Install a trusted anti-malware software
  • Never open and download email attachments from a nontrusted source.
  • Update the antivirus software
  • Scan the file and document using antivirus software

6. File Infector Virus

A File Infector Virus or File Infector is types of virus on computer that infects executable files (.exe) of programs and operating systems (Windows, UNIX and Macintosh). This type of virus overwrites the existing code or inserts infected code into an executable file.

File-infecting virus formatting the hard drive, damages or slow down the programs or makes them unusable and overwrites the host files.

How to spread File Infector Virus in Computer?

If you run a program which has been infected by that virus, then the Virus can replicate the malicious code to other applications. It can also replicate and spread through the entire system and over the network.

7. Browser Hijacker

A browser hijacker is unwanted software that modifies web browser settings without the user’s permission and automatically redirect to a malicious websites.

If you enter a domain name or website address in the web address bar, then the browser hijacker will open multiple vulnerable websites and may damage your computer.

Browser hijacker virus modifies web browser settings

Some common examples of Browser Hijacker are: GoSave, Ask Toolbar, RocketTab.

Symptoms of Browser Hijacking

This types of virus has several symptoms on computer such as:

  • Pop-up advertisement on web browser
  • Redirected to multiple vulnerable websites
  • Web pages are loading very slowly
  • Changes in the homepages and search engine

Tips

Here are the some special tips on how to prevent Browser Hijacking virus on computer:

8. Polymorphic Virus

A polymorphic virus is a complicated types of virus on computer that changes their code and their appearance every time and infects a new file of a computer. The polymorphic virus duplicates by copies of itself, creating new or modified the code.

It’s frequently changing identifiable characteristics such as file names, types or encryption keys. So, it is very difficult to detect them by using anti-malware program.

Tips

However, here are the few important tips for protecting from Polymorphic Virus on computer:

  • Keep Your Software Up To Date
  • Never Click on Suspicious Links
  • Use Strong Passwords and Change Regularly
  • Use professional anti-virus software

Polymorphic virus infect new file on Computer

9. Web Scripting Virus on Computer

A web scripting virus is another types of computer virus that breaches web browser security. In web scripting, the attackers can inject client-side scripting into the web page and take access controls in order to steal sensitive information from web browser.

This types of virus exists in website content such as image, ads, videos and URL links. When you click on it, the viruses will be automatically downloaded malicious programs or will redirect to you to vulnerable websites.

Tips

Here are the helpful tips for prevent from web scripting viruses:

Symptoms of Different Types of Virus on Computer

If your computer is infected by virus or malware then, you may see the following symptoms or signs on your computer.

  • Computer is Slowing Down
  • Unexpected Pop-up Windows Appearing
  • Unwanted Programs Start Automatically
  • Missing Files and Programs
  • System Crashing
  • Out of Storage Space
  • Computer Malfunction
  • Blocked From Antivirus Sites
  • Advertisements on Web Browser
  • Files Turned into Shortcuts

Learn More About Symptoms of Computer Virus.

Conclusion

Computer virus is one type of malware which has designed to harm your computer system by deleting files, damaging documents or reformatting the hard drive. There are different types of computer on computer which may infect your computer system in different ways. In this post, we have discussed on common types of virus on computer and how to remove the virus from your computer. Hope this article will be helpful for you!!!

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