Virus is a general term for malware that is able to reproduce itself with the help of the user. The user needs to take some action to execute the virus. For example, the user needs to execute a program which kicks off malware reproduction.
Viruses can be nearly invisible, like spyware, where the user can’t see any effects of the malware. However, viruses can also be more visible by deleting files or destroying your operating system. There are thousands of new viruses every week. Therefore, it’s crucial to always keep your antivirus signature files updates so that it is able to detect known virus signatures.
A virus an be a program virus which runs as part of an application. A virus can also be a boot sector virus which runs when you turn on your operating system. Viruses can also utilize scripting, such as JavaScript, which can infect your system via your web browser. Macros (such as those in Microsoft Office products) can also be used as viruses to delete data or send information to a bad actor.
