A computer virus can be developed maliciously by anyone wanting to damage systems or computers. They are coded bits that attach themselves to different programs or applications and, when activated, spread like wildfire. Viruses are often found attached to documents or programs that were downloaded from the internet or distributed via email. Most countries consider it illegal to create and distribute computer viruses.
There are a myriad of types of computer viruses that are able to infect machines in different ways. Some are dependent on a program to start their work, while others are not dependent and can attack multiple systems without the need of an host. Computer viruses that rely on a host program in order to infect computers are commonly called worms, while those that don’t use this method of infection by using other programs are referred to as viruses.
Certain viruses can infect a system instantly upon arrival, while others are dormant and only activate after the user executes the code. The first computer virus was developed in 1974, and it acted much like a biological virus by multiplying itself rapidly and causing harm to the system. Stuxnet is an example of a destructive computer virus. It was designed to destroy computerized centrifuges that were used to enrich the uranium.
It is not for the weak-hearted to try this task. However it can be a fun and exciting way to test your skills in computer programming languages online advertising and systems. There are numerous resources that will show you how to create a virus, if you are willing and willing to put in the effort.