- A short computer program, hidden within another, that makes copies of it and spreads them, disrupting the operation of a computer that receives one.
- It usually does nasty things to the computer or programs which it infects.
- Its effects could be just plain, annoying or extremely malicious.
Most common symptoms that indicates your computer has been infected:
- Files and data is deleted
- The computer takes longer to load programs/applications
- Items and images on your screen are distorted and unusual images and text appears
- Unusual noises come from your keyboard, hard disk
- Hard disk operates excessively or is inaccessible
- Disk space and filenames change for no reason
- System tools such as Scandisk return incorrect values
