Week 15 Module

Introdution Video

In this module, we will focus on the different types of viruses and worms that can affect your computer. Viruses and worms are very common in today's world of computing.

We will also explore the timeline of viruses and when they were first detected in computers.

The objectives for the lesson will be as follows:

  • To discuss the history of computer virus outbreaks.

  • To examine the difference between computer worms and viruses.

  • To discover the various types of computer worms and viruses and how to protect a computer.

  • To assess the consequences associated with computer worms and viruses.


A virus is a piece of code that attaches itself to an existing computer program. The virus then changes the program and continues to multiply and spread to other computer programs. The goal of the virus is to harm your computer or to steal information, such as passwords, financial information, or other critical information. The speed of which a virus spreads can be fast or slow, or it might not spread, especially if there is a mistake in the code. Sometimes viruses can remain "dormant" in your computer for a period of time before it becomes activated. When this happens, the virus may delete important program files that your computer needs to operate smoothly.

A worm, on the other hand, is a computer program itself. Unlike a virus, it does not have to attach itself to another program to multiply. It is independent. A worm is able to spread by finding weaknesses in a computer's network. The speed at which it spreads can be incredibly fast and could affect a whole company's network, for example, in seconds.

Computer worm

A computer worm is a computer program that copies itself into infected computers by exploiting network weakness.

Trojan Horse

A Trojan Horse disguises itself as a useful computer program that does meaningful work, but its intentions are to create a back door, so that a hacker can have unauthorized access to your computer.

Ransomware

Ransomware is a computer virus that encrypts the files of an infected computer rendering them useless until a ransom is paid to the hacker.

PowerPoint - Computer Worms & Viruses (Downloadable Version)

Spyware

Spyware installed into a computer allows unauthorize users to monitor your computers activity. The goal of the program is to collect a person passwords or financial information, like credit cards. Companies can use spyware to find out your browser activity, so that they can custom tailored advertisements to you. This is based on what your searched for or have bought.

Computer viruses

Computer viruses are malware created with the intention to delete files or cause harm to computers. Computer viruses attach themselves to a computer programs to are commonly used, like Microsoft Word, Excel. or PowerPoint. Then, they modify the program and then copies itself to computer programs.

Scareware

Scareware is designed to, out of the blue, scare users into getting antivirus protection for their phones or computers. All of a sudden, a user will get a message stating that their computer infected with a virus. This will prompt the user to download a program, which is a virus in it of itself.


Student Notes.pdf
Vocabulary Handout (1).pdf
Computer Viruses
Assessment I - Introduction to Computer Worms and Viruses (1).pdf
Assessment II - History of Computer Worms and Viruses (1).pdf