Arvutiviirus

Arvutiviirus is the Estonian word for computer virus. It refers to a type of malicious software program that, when executed, replicates itself by modifying other computer programs and inserting its own code. When this replication succeeds, the affected areas are then said to be "infected" with a computer virus. Computer viruses are often designed to spread from computer to computer, causing damage or disruption.

The term "virus" was first used by Fred Cohen in his 1983 academic paper, "Computer Viruses – Theory and Experiments." Viruses can be spread through various means, including infected email attachments, malicious websites, and removable media like USB drives. Once active, a virus can perform a range of harmful actions, such as corrupting data, stealing personal information, slowing down system performance, or displaying unwanted messages.

Antivirus software is used to detect, prevent, and remove computer viruses. This software scans files and programs for known virus signatures and suspicious behavior. Regular updates to antivirus software are crucial to ensure it can protect against the latest threats. Prevention also involves practicing safe computing habits, such as being cautious about opening email attachments from unknown senders and avoiding suspicious links.