Computer Viruses and Malware

A computer virus is just one type of malware. Other types include adware, spyware, worms and Trojans.

Computer Virus – a piece of code that is capable of copying itself and typically causing a detrimental effect such as corrupting the computer system or destroying data.

John von Neumann’s “Theory of Self-Reproducing Automat” was published in 1949. He speculated regarding the development of computer viruses. The Creeper System was developed in 1971 to prove John von Neumann’s theory and infected DEC PDP-10 on the TENEX operating system.

Malware – short for malicious software used to disrupt computer operations, gather sensitive information, gain access to private computer systems or display unwanted advertising. Malware has not typically spread computer to computer, but new variants of malware can do this. The malware term was coined by Yisrael Radai in 1990, but the first malware was discovered in 1986. The Pakistani Brain infected the book sector of an IBM CP Platform floppy disk. The virus/malware spread globally in a matter of weeks.

Every computer and network can still fall victim to malware. Complete Computing has 34 years of experience in preventing malware from infecting computers and networks. We also have extensive experience in removing malware.