The most costly computer viruses
There is no denying that computer viruses can be extremely costly, not just in terms of the money spent on repairs, but also in terms of time and productivity lost. Here are some of the most costly computer viruses in history.
The ILOVEYOU virus is estimated to have caused $5.5 billion in damage when it first hit in 2000. The virus, which spreads via email, email attachments, and instant messages, overwrites important files and renders computers unusable.
The Melissa virus, which also spreads via email, caused an estimated $80 million in damage when it hit in 1999. The virus leads to significant slowdowns and can even cause entire networks to crash.
The MyDoom virus, which hit in 2004, is thought to be the most damaging virus ever, causing an estimated $38 billion in damage. The virus, which is spread via email and file-sharing networks, renders computers unusable and can even delete files.
The SoBig virus, which hit in 2003, caused an estimated $37 million in damage. The virus, which is spread via email, can delete important files and propagate itself to other computers on a network.
The Slammer virus, which hit in 2003, caused an estimated $1.2 billion in damage. The virus, which spreads quickly and can cause computers to crash, took down major banks, airlines, and other critical systems.
The Code Red virus, which hit in 2001, caused an estimated $2 billion in damage. The virus, which is spread via the web and propagates itself by infecting other computers, can render computers unusable and delete files.
These are just a few examples of the costly computer viruses that have caused billions of dollars in damage over the years. As our reliance on computers continue to grow, it is likely that we will see even more costly viruses in the future..Original Content
How to keep your computer virus-free
Assuming you would like tips on how to avoid getting viruses on your computer:
There are a few key things you can do to keep your computer virus-free. First, make sure you have a good antivirus program installed and that it is up-to-date. Antivirus software is designed to detect and remove viruses, so it is an important line of defense against infection. There are many different antivirus programs available, so you may need to do some research to find one that is right for you. Once you have an antivirus program installed, make sure you keep it up-to-date by downloading the latest virus definitions and scanning your computer on a regular basis.
In addition to using antivirus software, you should also take steps to avoid infecting your computer in the first place. Be careful about what you download and install on your computer. Be sure to only download files from trusted sources and avoid clicking on links in email messages or on websites that you don’t trust. When installing new software, be sure to read all of the prompts carefully and deselect any options that you do not want or need.
Finally, you should also keep your operating system and other software up-to-date. Software developers often release new updates to fix security vulnerabilities and patch other bugs. By keeping your software up-to-date, you can help close some of the doors that viruses use to get onto your computer.
Visit malwarezero.org to learn more about computer viruses. Disclaimer: We used this website as a reference for this blog post.