The 20 most costly PC viruses
As technology advances, so too do the capabilities of viruses and other malware. While early computer viruses were nothing more than annoying nuisances, today’s viruses can wreak havoc on both an individual’s computer and entire networks. The following is a list of the 20 most costly PC viruses:
1. The Love Bug Virus: Also known as the “I Love You” virus, this computer virus caused an estimated $5.5 billion in damage when it was released in 2000. The Love Bug was a particularly destructive virus because it was able to replicate itself and spread quickly.
2. The Melissa Virus: The Melissa virus was first discovered in 1999 and caused an estimated $80 million in damage. The virus spread quickly via email and quickly disrupted corporate email systems.
3. The Code Red Virus: The Code Red virus was first discovered in 2001 and caused an estimated $2 billion in damage. The virus exploited a security flaw in Microsoft’s IIS web server software and was used to launch attacks on various government and military websites.
4. The Blaster Virus: The Blaster virus was first discovered in 2003 and caused an estimated $10 billion in damage. The virus spread quickly via email and infected millions of computers.
5. The Mydoom Virus: The Mydoom virus was first discovered in 2004 and caused an estimated $38.5 billion in damage. The virus was particularly destructive because it was able to replicate itself and spread quickly.
6. The Sasser Virus: The Sasser virus was first discovered in 2004 and caused an estimated $30 billion in damage. The virus spread quickly and caused computers to crash.
7. The SoBig Virus: The SoBig virus was first discovered in 2003 and caused an estimated $37.1 billion in damage. The virus spread quickly via email and infected millions of computers.
8. The Storm Worm: The Storm Worm was first discovered in 2006 and caused an estimated $13.1 billion in damage. The virus spread quickly via email and infected millions of computers.
9. The Conficker Virus: The Conficker virus was first discovered in 2008 and caused an estimated $9.1 billion in damage. The virus spread quickly and infected millions of computers.
10. The Duqu Virus: The Duqu virus was first discovered in 2011 and caused an estimated $3.5 billion in damage. The virus was used to collect intelligence from various organizations and was particularly difficult to remove from infected computers.
11. The WannaCry Virus: The WannaCry virus was first discovered in 2017 and caused an estimated $4 billion in damage. The virus spread quickly and infected millions of computers.
12. The NotPetya Virus: The NotPetya virus was first discovered in 2017 and caused an estimated $10 billion in damage. The virus was particularly destructive because it was able to quickly spread and encrypt data on infected computers.
13. The Goldeneye Virus: The Goldeneye virus was first discovered in 2017 and caused an estimated $5 billion in damage. The virus was used to launch attacks on various organizations and was particularly difficult to remove from infected computers.
14. The Bad Rabbit Virus: The Bad Rabbit virus was first discovered in 2017 and caused an estimated $5 million in damage. The virus spread quickly and infected thousands of computers.
15. The Petya Virus: The Petya virus was first discovered in 2016 and caused an estimated $1 billion in damage. The virus spread quickly and was particularly destructive because it was able to encrypt data on infected computers.
16. The Locky Virus: The Locky virus was first discovered in 2016 and caused an estimated $3 billion in damage. The virus spread quickly and was used to encrypt data on infected computers.
17. The Cryptolocker Virus: The Cryptolocker virus was first discovered in 2013 and caused an estimated $3 billion in damage. The virus was used to encrypt data on infected computers and was particularly difficult to remove.
18. The Cerber Virus: The Cerber virus was first discovered in 2016 and caused an estimated $1.3 billion in damage. The virus was used to encrypt data on infected computers and was particularly difficult to remove.
19. The DETOXCRYPT Virus: The DETOXCRYPT virus was first discovered in 2015 and caused an estimated $1 billion in damage. The virus was used to encrypt data on infected computers and was particularly difficult to remove.
20. The SamSam Virus: The SamSam virus was first discovered in 2015 and caused an estimated $30 million in damage. The virus was used to launch attacks on various organizations and was particularly difficult to remove from infected computers. More information
The 20 most common PC viruses
The 20 Most Common PC Viruses
Getting a virus on your computer is a very frustrating experience. Not only can they be difficult to get rid of, but they can also do a lot of damage to your files and your operating system. In this article, we’re going to take a look at the 20 most common PC viruses, how they work, and how you can protect yourself from them.
1. WannaCry
WannaCry is a ransomware virus that was first released in May of 2017. It quickly spread around the world, infecting more than 200,000 computers in 150 countries. WannaCry encrypts your files and demands a ransom payment in order to decrypt them. It targets all versions of Windows, from XP to 10.
How to protect yourself: Keep your operating system and software up to date, and use a reputable antivirus program.
2. Conficker
Conficker is a worm that was first released in 2008. It spread quickly, infecting millions of computers within a few months. Conficker allows attackers to take control of your computer, and it can also spread itself to other computers on your network. It targets all versions of Windows, from 2000 to Vista.
How to protect yourself: Keep your operating system and software up to date, and use a reputable antivirus program.
3. Zeus
Zeus is a Trojan horse that was first released in 2007. It’s designed to steal your personal information, such as your banking details and passwords. It can also spread itself to other computers on your network. Zeus targets all versions of Windows.
How to protect yourself: Keep your operating system and software up to date, and use a reputable antivirus program.
4. Cryptolocker
Cryptolocker is a ransomware virus that was first released in 2013. It encrypts your files and demands a ransom payment in order to decrypt them. Cryptolocker targets all versions of Windows, from XP to 10.
How to protect yourself: Keep your operating system and software up to date, and use a reputable antivirus program.
5. Sality
Sality is a virus that was first released in 2003. It spreads itself by infecting executable files, and it can also spread itself to other computers on your network. Sality can delete files, steal information, and disable security software. It targets all versions of Windows.
How to protect yourself: Keep your operating system and software up to date, and use a reputable antivirus program.
6. Stuxnet
Stuxnet is a worm that was first released in 2010. It’s designed to destroy industrial equipment, such as centrifuges. It can also spread itself to other computers on your network. Stuxnet targets all versions of Windows.
How to protect yourself: Keep your operating system and software up to date, and use a reputable antivirus program.
7. Melissa
Melissa is a virus that was first released in 1999. It spreads itself by email, and it can also infect other files on your computer. Melissa can slow down your computer, and it can also send out emails from your account without your permission. It targets all versions of Windows.
How to protect yourself: Keep your operating system and software up to date, and use a reputable antivirus program.
8. Code Red
Code Red is a worm that was first released in 2001. It quickly spread around the world, infecting more than 350,000 computers within a few weeks. Code Red allows attackers to take control of your computer, and it can also spread itself to other computers on your network. It targets all versions of Windows, from NT to XP.
How to protect yourself: Keep your operating system and software up to date, and use a reputable antivirus program.
9. Blaster
Blaster is a worm that was first released in 2003. It quickly spread around the world, infecting more than 10 million computers within a few weeks. Blaster allows attackers to take control of your computer, and it can also spread itself to other computers on your network. It targets all versions of Windows, from 2000 to XP.
How to protect yourself: Keep your operating system and software up to date, and use a reputable antivirus program.
10. Nimda
Nimda is a worm that was first released in 2001. It quickly spread around the world, infecting more than 16 million computers within a few weeks. Nimda allows attackers to take control of your computer, and it can also spread itself to other computers on your network. It targets all versions of Windows.
How to protect yourself: Keep your operating system and software up to date, and use a reputable antivirus program.
11. Mydoom
Mydoom is a worm that was first released in 2004. It quickly spread around the world, infecting more than 10 million computers within a few weeks. Mydoom allows attackers to take control of your computer, and it can also spread itself to other computers on your network. It targets all versions of Windows.
How to protect yourself: Keep your operating system and software up to date, and use a reputable antivirus program.
12. Ilomo
Ilomo is a virus that was first released in 2007. It spreads itself by email, and it can also infect other files on your computer. Ilomo can slow down your computer, and it can also send out emails from your account without your permission. It targets all versions of Windows.
How to protect yourself: Keep your operating system and software up to date, and use a reputable antivirus program.
13. Sober
Sober is a worm that was first released in 2003. It quickly spread around the world, infecting more than 1 million computers within a few weeks. Sober allows attackers to take control of your computer, and it can also spread itself to other computers on your network. It targets all versions of Windows.
How to protect yourself: Keep your operating system and software up to date, and use a reputable antivirus program.
14. Klez
Klez is a worm that was first released in 2002. It quickly spread around the world, infecting more than 5 million computers within a few weeks. Klez allows attackers to take control of your computer, and it can also spread itself to other computers on your network. It targets all versions of Windows.
How to protect yourself: Keep your operating system and software up to date, and use a reputable antivirus program.
15. Swen
Swen is a worm that was first released in 2003. It quickly spread around the world, infecting more than 1 million computers within a few weeks. Swen allows attackers to take control of your computer, and it can also spread itself to other computers on your network. It targets all versions of Windows.
How to protect yourself: Keep your operating system and software up to date, and use a reputable antivirus program.
16. Goner
Goner is a worm that was first released in 2004. It quickly spread around the world, infecting more than 1 million computers within a few weeks. Goner allows attackers to take control of your computer, and it can also spread itself to other computers on your network. It targets all versions of Windows.
How to protect yourself: Keep your operating system and software up to date, and use a reputable antivirus program.
17. Zindos
Zindos is a virus that was first released in 2007. It spreads itself by email, and it can also infect other files on your computer. Zindos can slow down your computer, and it can also send out emails from your account without your permission. It targets all versions of Windows.
How to protect yourself: Keep your operating system and software up to date, and use a reputable antivirus program.
18. Hybris
Hybris is a virus that was first released in 2008. It quickly spread around the world, infecting more than 1 million computers within a few weeks. Hybris allows attackers to take control of your computer, and it can also spread itself to other computers on your network. It targets all versions of Windows.
How to protect yourself: Keep your operating system and software up to date, and use a reputable antivirus program.
19. Bagle
Bagle is a worm that was first released in 2004. It quickly spread around the world, infecting more than 5 million computers within a few weeks. Bagle allows attackers to take control of your computer, and it can also spread itself to other computers on your network. It targets all versions of Windows.
How to protect yourself: Keep your operating system and software up to date, and use a reputable antivirus program.
20. Bagz
Bagz is a Trojan horse that was first released in 2002. It quickly spread around the world, infecting more than 5 million computers within a few weeks. Bagz allows attackers to take control of your computer, and it can also spread itself to other computers on your network. It targets all versions of Windows.
How to protect yourself: Keep your operating system and software up to date, and use a reputable antivirus program.
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