Viruses : Effects

There are several thousand viruses. They all do slightly different things. Here are some examples of the ways in which a virus might affect a computer :

• Files might be deleted.
• Files might grow in size and fill up your hard disk.
• Annoying messages might be displayed.

Some viruses start operating as soon as they are copied onto your hard disk. Others are only triggered by certain events. For example a virus may do nothing until a particular date is reached.

Viruses can not damage the computer’s hardware; they can not stop your monitor or printer working or break your hard disk; though they could corrupt information stored on the hard disk.

The actions that a virus will carry out are deliberately programmed by the person who created the virus. However most viruses are copied onto a computer accidentally by someone who does not realise what they are doing.

GCSE ICT Companion 04 - (C) P Meakin 2004