What Does a Computer Virus Do?
Computer viruses come in many forms and serve different malicious purposes. Some of the common effects of a virus include:
- Data Corruption - Viruses may delete or alter files, making them unusable.
- System Slowdown - Many viruses consume system resources, causing computers to lag.
- Unauthorized Access - Some viruses allow hackers to gain control of a system.
- Spreading to Other Devices - Certain viruses replicate through USB drives, networks, or email attachments.
- Ransomware Attacks - Some modern viruses, like ransomware, lock users out of their files until a ransom is paid (Europol, 2021).
Question: Which of the following is an example of what a virus can do?