Computer virus names and classification

Computer virus names are necessary for public information to warn about the specific type or name of a virus that is circulating now. If people are not aware about disastrous viruses, their data can be wiped within a minute. Currently, malware transfers easily through internet, email (as attachment) and network.

For example, ILOVEYOU and LOVELETTER viruses had brought damage to by spreading through email. Users were warned not to open an e-mail file attached with these names. The problem with the naming of a virus is that a single type of virus can be given different names by various anti-virus vendors which often confuse end users. This confusion is particularly common when new threat hits the cyberspace.

Until now several efforts are carried out to standardize the naming and the classification of computer malware. However, it was unsuccessful. May be we may hear new attempt that can easily classify viruses.

On the other hand, for anti-virus applications the name of the virus doesn’t matter, anti-virus programs don’t recognize malware using the name. The application identifies a virus based on the behavior and signature of the specific malware.

Major Groups of computer viruses

Listing all computer virus names can be a tiresome task, since there are hundred thousands of viruses exist today. On the top of this, new viruses are appearing every day.

Anti-virus developers are also doing their best to fight virus attack by improving their program protection technology. For your information, below you will find sites that list virus names.

Anti-virus developers grouped computer virus names based on the behavior and the damage they bring to digital data and computer systems. All computer malicious codes (malware) are grouped into the following major types.

Virus

Virus is a small computer program that can replicate by attaching itself to an application. When the application runs, the virus also began to execute and replicate. The level of damage it brings to a computer system differs depending on the type of virus and its behavior.

Some of the types of viruses include boot viruses, resident viruses, MBR (Master Boot Record) viruses and polymorphic viruses. Read more about types of computer viruses here.

Worms

A worm is a parasitic malware which is capable of replicating itself. It multiplies itself until it fills computer memory space. As a result a computer won’t have enough space to run which significantly impact the performance of a computer. 

Trojan Horses

Trojan disguises itself as a legitimate program, but when it executes it does something a user doesn’t expect. Trojan doesn’t replicate. 

Spyware

Spyware is as the name implies, a computer programs used to steal information from user’s computer. Normally, this happens through internet connection.

Depending on the type of spyware, it is used to steal user’s e-mail addresses, passwords, credit card numbers and other private information. It is also used to monitor the activity a user via internet connection.

Key loggers

Key logger is used to send the key pressed by a user to its creator. It is used to steal passwords.

Phishing

Backdoor

Like the other malicious codes, a backdoor is also a program that is used to access or make a way for other attackers by breaking computer security system.

Where to find list of computer virus names?

You may visit the following helpful websites which lists the popular virus names and news on recent threats.

http://www.kaspersky.com/viruswatch3 http://www.bitdefender.com/site/VirusInfo/browseVirusEnciclopedia/ http://www.wildlist.org/WildList/ http://www.symantec.com/business/security_response/threatexplorer/threats.jsp http://www.cloudantivirus.com/en/listofviruses/