CHAPTER 3, Computer Virus
CLASS VIII
Q1 Write down small notes on viruses and malware.
Ans1 Virus-:
Malicious computer programs are called computer viruses. These programs
interfere in normal working of computer like deletes data from hard disk, sends
endless emails, slows down computer and makes memory full.
Types of viruses are:
• Executable virus
• Boot Sector virus.
Malware-:
Malware is a software program that gets installed on our computer and performs
unwanted tasks. It gathers information from our computer and passes it on to a
third party. These are the following types
• Email virus
• Worm
• Spyware.
• Trojan horse.
• Sweeper.
Q2 How does a virus spread and infect other computers?
Ans2 Viruses used to be spread when people shared floppy disks/compact disks and other
portable media i.e. flash drive/pen drive, these days viruses spread through email
messages.
Q3 How can we protect ourselves from viruses?
We can protect ourselves from viruses, from the following ways:
• Use operating systems that are not prone to virus attacks.
• Do not open and execute email attachments unless you are sure of the
origin of the email attachment.
• Avoid accessing unnecessary sites on the Internet.
• Buy antivirus protection software and install it.
• Do not run macro unless sure of the task, they perform.
Q4 Define antivirus. What function does it perform?
Ans4 Antivirus software (antivirus program) is a security program designed to prevent,
detect, search and remove viruses and other types of malwares from computers.
An antivirus performs the following functions:
• Scan the files and folders for any malware present.
• Removes malicious code detected in the computer.
• Shows security status of the computer.
Q5 Which kind of people write virus programs?
Ans5 The kind of people write virus programs are given below:
• Some unhappy people write destructive codes to either troubled
others for reasons which they are not clear about or for some kind of
vendetta.
• Some indulge in such activities because they get a thrill out of
disturbing others.
• Some take it as a challenge to beat the best of the programs and
write destructive codes.
Q6 Give few examples of the kind of harm viruses have done or can do.
Ans6 Harmful effects of the virus are the following:
• Due to virus attack, our hard disk gets formatted and will lose all our data.
• Due to virus attack, banks’ computers can be infected and customers can
lose all of their money.
• In case of virus attack important and confidential data can be accessed by
others.
• Computers can be hijacked and display more advertisements to make
money.
• Due to virus attack railways or airlines reservation computer system can
lose their data.
