Computer viruses harm computer systems by corrupting or deleting data, damaging software programs, and disrupting normal computer operation.
Here's a breakdown of the ways computer viruses inflict damage:
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Data Corruption and Deletion: Viruses can modify or erase critical system files, personal documents, photos, videos, and other data stored on the computer. This can result in data loss, making the system unusable or causing errors in applications.
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Software Damage: Viruses can corrupt or modify executable files (.exe) that run programs, causing software applications to malfunction or become completely unusable.
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System Instability: Viruses consume system resources, such as CPU time and memory. This can slow down the computer, cause it to freeze, or lead to frequent crashes.
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Hard Drive Damage: Some aggressive viruses can reformat the hard drive, erasing all data and essentially rendering the computer unusable until the operating system and software are reinstalled. This is a less common but very destructive type of attack.
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Network Congestion: Certain viruses replicate rapidly and spread across networks, flooding them with traffic. This can slow down or completely disrupt network communication, making it impossible to access the internet or share files.
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Security Breaches: Viruses can create backdoors in the system, allowing hackers to gain unauthorized access to the computer and potentially steal sensitive information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, and personal data.
In summary, computer viruses cause harm through various mechanisms, ranging from data loss and software corruption to system instability and network disruption. These impacts can have severe consequences for individuals and organizations, highlighting the importance of using robust antivirus software and practicing safe computing habits.
