Gilson

HIGHER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE OF PORTO AMBOIM
DEPARTMENT OF TECHNOLOGICAL SCIENCES
DEGREE IN COMPUTER / ENGINEERINS
TECHNICAL ENGLISH II
COMPUTER VIRUSES AND ANTIVIRUSES
TEAM MEMBERS:
ALFREDO RUFINO
GILSON CARIENGUE
PAULINA DA COSTA
ACADEMIC YEAR: 2024-2025

INTRODUCTION
A computer virus is a type of malicious software (malware) designed to infect and potentially
damage computer systems, files, or networks. To protect against these threats, antivirus
software is used. Antivirus programs are designed to detect, prevent, and remove computer
viruses and other types of malware.
COMPUTER VIRUSES AND ANTIVIRUSES.
Computer Virus
A computer virus is a type of malicious software (malware) that attaches itself to a legitimate
program or file and spreads to other programs or files on the same computer or across networks. The
virus can damage data, slow down system performance, or cause other types of harm. Viruses are
usually spread through infected files, downloads, email attachments, or malicious websites.
Characteristics of a virus:
1. Replication: The virus replicates itself, often by attaching to a host program.
2. Activation: The virus may activate upon running the infected program or file, triggering its
payload (destructive action).
3. Destructive Payload: Some viruses delete or corrupt files, steal data, or perform other
harmful actions.
4. Spread: Once activated, the virus can spread to other computers or networks
Common Types of Computer Viruses:
1. File Infector Viruses: Infect executable files (e.g., .exe, .com files).
2. Macro Viruses: Attach themselves to documents or spreadsheets with macros, typically in

Microsoft Office files.
3. Boot Sector Viruses: Infect the boot sector of a hard drive or a removable storage device.
1. Polymorphic Viruses: Change their code each time they infect a new file to avoid detection
by antivirus software.
2. Metamorphic Viruses: Rewrite themselves completely to avoid detection.
4. Trojan Horses: Though technically different from viruses, these often masquerade
as legitimate software to deceive users.
1.Infetion
A virus starts by attaching itself to a legitimate program or file on a computer. This could be an
email attachment, a downloaded file, or a software that a user installs.
The virus may be dormant at first, waiting for a specific action (like opening a file or launching an
infected program) to activate it.
To protect against viruses:
 Install antivirus and anti-malware software.

 Regularly update software to patch vulnerabilities.
 Avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading unknown attachments.
 Backup important files to prevent data loss.
By performing these functions, viruses can significantly disrupt and harm systems, which is
why cybersecurity measures are so essential.
Antivirus Software
Antivirus software is a program designed to detect, prevent, and remove malware, including
computer viruses, from a computer. It scans files and programs for known virus signatures or
suspicious behavior. Antivirus programs can provide real-time protection against viruses and other
types of malware.
Features of Antivirus Software:
1. Real-Time Protection: Monitors your computer continuously for threats.
2. Scanning: Scans files, emails, and websites for viruses and malware.
3. Virus Definitions: The software uses a database of known virus signatures to identify threats.
4. Heuristic Analysis: Examines the behavior of programs to detect new or unknown viruses
based on suspicious patterns.
5. Quarantine: Infected files are isolated to prevent further damage until they can be cleaned
or deleted.
Common Antivirus Software:
1. Norton Antivirus: Provides comprehensive malware protection, including viruses,

spyware, and ransomware.
2. McAfee: Offers real-time protection and internet security features.
3. Kaspersky: Known for strong virus detection and low impact on system
performance.
4. Bitdefender: Offers advanced protection with multi-layer ransomware defense.

5. Avast: A popular free antivirus program with additional privacy features.
How Antivirus Software Works:
1. Signature-Based Detection: It compares files against a database of known virus
signatures (unique patterns or characteristics of viruses). If a match is found, the
software flags it as a virus.
2. Heuristic Analysis: This method looks for suspicious behavior in programs (e.g.,
unusual file activity or unauthorized access to system resources) to detect unknown
viruses.
3. Sandboxing: Some antivirus programs open suspicious files in a controlled
environment (sandbox) to observe their behaveior without allowing them to infect the
syste
4. Cloud-Based Detection: Some antivirus solutions use cloud computing to analyze
data, reducing system load and increasing detection efficiency.
Importance of Using Antivirus Software:
1. Protection Against Threats: Antivirus software helps protect against a variety of
threats such as viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware, and spyware.
2. Prevent Data Loss: By blocking viruses and other malware, antivirus software helps
prevent data loss due to corruption or theft.
3. System Performance: Antivirus software can detect and remove malware that slows
down your systems.
4. Privacy Protection: Helps prevent unauthorized access to personal and sensitive
information.
Challenges in Antivirus Protection:
1. Zero-Day Attacks: These are vulnerabilities that are exploited before the antivirus
software has a chance to recognize the new threat.
2. Evasion Techniques: Some malware is designed to evade detection, such as
polymorphic viruses or viruses that only activate after a period of time.
3. Resource Usage: Some antivirus programs can consume significant system
resources, causing slowdowns, particularly on older machines.
4. False Positives: Antivirus software can occasionally flag a legitimate program or file
as a threat, causing inconvenience or operational issues.
Best Practices for Avoiding Viruses:
1. Regular Software Updates: Ensure your operating system and software are up to
date, as updates often include security patches.
2. Avoid Suspicious Links: Do not click on unknown or suspicious email links,
attachments, or pop-up ads.
3. Use Strong Passwords: Strong passwords help prevent unauthorized access.
4. Backup Important Data: Regularly back up important files to prevent data loss in
case of an infection.
5. Install Reliable Antivirus Software: Choose a reputable antivirus program and keep
it updated.
CONCLUSION
Viruses are a significant threat to the security and functionality of computers, but with
the right antivirus software and good security practices, users can significantly reduce the
risk of infection. Regular system scans, safe browsing habits, and keeping software up to date
are key to ensuring your computer remains secure.
BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCES
 Garfinkel, S., & Spafford, G. (2002). Practical UNIX and Internet Security.
O'Reilly Media.
ISBN: 978-0596003237.
 Kaspersky Lab. (2021). What is a Computer Virus? Kaspersky Lab.
Disponível em: https://www.kaspersky.com
 Parker, D. B. (1998). Fighting Computer Viruses. Wiley.
ISBN: 978-0471111250.
 SANS Institute. (2020). Computer Viruses and Malware. SANS Institute.
Disponível em: https://www.sans.org

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HIGHER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE OF PORTO AMBOIM

DEPARTMENT OF TECHNOLOGICAL SCIENCES

DEGREE IN COMPUTER / ENGINEERINS

COMPUTER VIRUSES AND ANTIVIRUSES

ACADEMIC YEAR: 2024-2025

1. Replication: The virus replicates itself, often by attaching to a host program.

Common Types of Computer Viruses:

2. Macro Viruses: Attach themselves to documents or spreadsheets with macros, typically in

2. Metamorphic Viruses: Rewrite themselves completely to avoid detection.

To protect against viruses:

 Install antivirus and anti-malware software.

Features of Antivirus Software:

1. Real-Time Protection: Monitors your computer continuously for threats.

1. Norton Antivirus: Provides comprehensive malware protection, including viruses,

2. McAfee: Offers real-time protection and internet security features.

4. Bitdefender: Offers advanced protection with multi-layer ransomware defense.

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