Technologies

10 most dangerous computer viruses of all time

The computer industry has made significant contributions to various industries and continues to delight the world with new products. In connection with the rapid development of computer technology, there is a threat to the security of various software applications that are currently being actively developed. In addition to applications that make life easier, there are also malicious programs. The most common type of these programs are computer viruses.

A computer virus is a type of malicious software that makes the files of the entire computer system unusable.... As it multiplies, it will delete files stored on your computer or render them unusable. The virus usually attaches itself to executable files (with the .exe extension). It can also infect documents and databases that contain important data. Viruses also damage modern gadgets, if you want to protect your phone from malware, then check out 10 ways to protect your Android device.

The most dangerous viruses infect system files that are responsible for the operation of the entire operating system. Over the years, many computer viruses have emerged, causing millions of dollars in damage. At first, they were distributed through removable media, in particular disks (floppy disks). With the development of computer networks and the Internet, the degree of harm caused by computer viruses has become much higher. So, we present to your attention a list 10 most dangerous computer viruses of all time.

10. Melissa


Number 10 is the Melissa virus, which is a type of virus that infects files Microsoft Office... Designed by David Smith, the virus "Melissa"was named in memory of a stripper he met. The virus spreads through mass e-mails.

When a user opens an email, downloads an attachment and opens it, the virus targets files related to Microsoft Word 97/2000, then this virus is sent to the first 50 contacts from the e-mail address book. Virus developer David Smith was arrested later. He paid a $ 5,000 fine and spent 20 months in prison.

9.I LOVEYOU


The ninth on the list is the virus I LOVE YOU... This type of virus has attacked millions of computers running the operating system. Windows, causing millions of dollars in damage. It was developed by a programmer from the Philippines. It is distributed by email and contains an attached file called "LOVE-LETTER-FOR-YOU.txt.vbs".

Having received the attachment, VBS the file extension will not appear and it will be mistaken for a plain text file. Function Visual Basic Script is designed to send messages by e-mail to 50 recipients from the list of e-mail contacts. Because the virus looks harmless at first glance, many people have opened the attachment, allowing the malware to easily spread across corporate email systems.

8. Klez


Number 8 on the list is a virus Klez, which spreads via email and infects system files Windows... Due to the mail vulnerability in Internet Explorer, the client doesn't even need to download the email attachment. Like other viruses, Klez looks for contacts and reproduces on its own.

7. Code Red and Code Red II


The seventh number on the list is a virus Code red... It is considered one of the most dangerous viruses because it attacks web servers. Microsoft... It exploits a buffer overflow vulnerability and displays the message "Hey! Welcome to worm.com! Hacked by the Chinese! "

Code Red II is a variation of the aforementioned virus, but instead of attacking, it enters through the back door to make the target computer vulnerable to other viruses.

6. Nimda


Number 6 on the list is Nimda... This is the type of virus that is said to have spread rapidly throughout The Internet in just 22 minutes. It can spread either through email, through network resources, by opening and browsing websites, or through a back door opened by a virus. Code red ii.

The name comes from the word "Admin"if you read it the other way around. Since the virus can spread in different ways, Nimda caused losses in the amount of $ 620 million during its existence.

5. SQL Slammer


SQL Slammer is number 5. This virus still exists. It provokes denial of service on some internet hosts, which has resulted in a significant decrease in internet traffic. Also exploiting the buffer overflow vulnerability, the virus transfers random IP addresses to various Internet hosts, and if it turns out that the address is used by the faulty one. Microsoft SQL Server Resolution service, the host will spread the virus further.

4. MyDoom


Fourth on the list is a virus MyDoom, which is also a type of virus that spreads over the Internet. The file attachment is automatically downloaded when the email is open, and is automatically distributed through various contacts in the email. In addition, it can transfer programs from one personal computer with an operating system. Windows to another.

3. Sasser


Third on the list is a virus Sasser, which is specifically targeted at computer networks running outdated operating systems such as Windows XP and Windows 2000... It spreads through a network port, which is considered vulnerable to computer virus attacks and is notorious for being unreliable due to the fact that using a network port as a vehicle to spread a virus means it can spread without user intervention.

When a computing device is infected with a virus Sasser, a pop-up window will appear informing that the system will start permanent shutdown in 1 minute. The popup is called Sasserwhich is short for Local Security Authority Subsystem Service (LSASS).

2. Oompa-Loompa


The second most dangerous virus of all time - Oompa-Loompa, or simply "leap". A file containing such a virus is spread during instant messaging. The file is called"latestpics.tgz". The user must first open the archive file, and then the executable file contained in it, during which the virus infects the system and will spread through contacts in the instant messaging service. Since the file is disguised as an image icon, no one will know that it is a virus ...

1. Storm Worm


Ranked # 1 on the list of 10 most dangerous computer viruses of all time Storm worm... It is distributed via e-mail containing detailed information about a variety of news, which will undoubtedly attract the attention of any recipient. It is considered one of the most dangerous, as it can be delivered by 14 different email subjects and 18 unique executable files, arbitrarily attached in letters.

When the attachment is opened by the recipient, system files are damaged and important documents stored on the computer are continually damaged. The virus can also spread through botnets and rootkits. Insofar as Storm worm exists to this day, it is considered the most dangerous computer virus of all time.