Types of Viruses

There are many types of computer viruses:

• File virus : Most viruses fall into this category. A virus attaches itself to a file, usually a program file.

• Boot sector virus : These viruses infect floppy and hard drives. The virus program will load first, before the operating system.

• Macro Virus : This is a new type of virus that use an application’s own macro programming feature to distribute themselves. Unlike other viruses, macro viruses do not infect programs; they infect documents.

• Virus Hoax : Although there are thousands of viruses discovered each year, there are still some that only exist in the imaginations of the public and the press – known as virus hoaxes. These viruses hoaxes DO NOT EXIST, despite rumor of their creation and distribution.