Question

For Exercises 1-27, mark the answers true or false as follows: A. True B. False A computer virus "infects" another program by embedding itself into that program.

Short answer

A. True

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the Statement

The statement says, 'A computer virus "infects" another program by embedding itself into that program.' To determine if this is true or false, we need to understand how computer viruses operate.

Definition of a Computer Virus

A computer virus is a type of malicious software that, once executed, can replicate by inserting copies of itself into other computer programs, boot sectors, or documents. This process is typically referred to as 'infection'.

Analyzing the Term 'Embedding'

The term 'embedding' in the context of a computer virus refers to the action of the virus inserting its code into other executable code to spread its infection. This is a core characteristic of viruses.

Determining the Truth Value

Since the statement aligns with the fundamental behavior of a computer virus, which is to 'infect' by embedding its code into another program, the statement is accurate.

Key concepts

Malicious Software

Malicious software, often called malware, refers to programs or files that are designed to harm a computer's operations. These softwares work against the interest of the user and can cause damage to software and hardware components.
They can also collect sensitive information or disrupt services.

There are various types of malicious software, including:

• Viruses: Programs that replicate themselves and spread to other files.
• Worms: Similar to viruses, but spread without user interaction.
• Trojan Horses: Disguise themselves as useful software but carry harmful code.
• Spyware: Collects information from a computer without the user's knowledge.

Viruses, being a type of malicious software, are particularly concerning because they embed themselves into existing programs to propagate further. This infiltration allows them to act subtly while carrying out disruptive tasks like deleting files or corrupting data.

Infection Process

The infection process is the means by which a computer virus spreads and takes control of new environments. Understanding this process is crucial for preventing and mitigating the damage caused by viruses.
When a virus infects a program or a system, it begins by attaching itself to a host file or sector.

Here's how the infection process typically works:

• A user unknowingly executes an infected program or file. This can happen by downloading malware-infected email attachments or using compromised USB drives.
• Once activated, the virus looks for prey, which could be application files, system utilities, or documents, and attempts to embed itself into them.
• This embedding leads to the original program's corruption and enables the virus to spread further whenever the program is run or shared with others.

Early detection and the use of antivirus software can intercept and stop many infection attempts before they spread extensively.

Virus Replication

Virus replication is a fundamental characteristic of how viruses proliferate through digital systems. Once a virus is activated, it aims to make duplicates of its harmful code and find new hosts to exploit.
This replication often requires minimal user intervention after the initial infection.

Key aspects of virus replication include:

• A virus may replicate within files on a single machine, copying its harmful code into multiple programs.
• Through network sharing, viruses replicate across connected systems, increasing the scope of the infection.
• Viruses can also target system files to ensure that they are executed automatically on startup, further aiding in the replication effort.

Effective virus replication can lead to rapid escalation of the problem, making early detection and response crucial to limiting damage.

Code Embedding

Code embedding is the technique a virus uses to insert its code into other software or documents. By embedding, a virus makes itself a hidden part of the larger program, complicating the cleaning process.
This action is often seamless, meaning regular users might not notice anything out of the ordinary.

Details about code embedding include:

• The embedded code is typically executable, which means it can run operations when the host software is launched.
• Embedding allows the virus to use the host program's legitimate operations as a cover for its activities.
• Embedded viruses can modify system operations, leading programs to execute additional unexpected instructions.
• Removing embedded code can be difficult, as it may require removing parts of the host program itself, risking data loss.

Understanding code embedding is essential for developing effective virus removal tools and techniques to protect computer systems.