The history of malware has more than 30 years. Computer viruses, like their biological counterparts, live and develop inside the system, causing certain harm - destroy data, disable hardware, replace files, and even cause the operating system to crash. The most dangerous thing is that they can self-replicate and, thanks to modern technology, quickly spread across the network. Time and human intelligence generate ever new programs, but today we look at the most dangerous computer viruses in history.
The most dangerous computer viruses:
1
"Brain"
We start our short review with the first-born malware, which was created in 1986 by two Pakistani programmers. The brothers only wanted to protect their intellectual property from pirates.
But, the virus created broke out of control, infecting tens of thousands of computers around the world. He recorded in the boot sectors of floppy disks, and when trying to detect and clean up, he displayed his neutral copy.
Thus, “Brain” became the first dangerous stealth virus in the world.
2
Jerusalem
Having played on human psychology, the creators of the virus launched it on Friday the 13th of 1988. He infected files created or opened on this day.
Then there was little information about viruses, and Jerusalem caused a real panic. When an infected file was launched, the virus simply deleted it, and then simply formatted all the data.
The author of the virus remained unknown, and the malware itself laid the foundations for the Suriv family of resident viruses.
3
Conficker
Over the course of three months, a computer malware application has infected more than 12 million computers running Microsoft Windows.
The computer worm began its journey in November 2008. The virus, using the vulnerability of the system, downloaded from the Internet on its own, and, among other problems, also caused blocking of sites by manufacturers of anti-virus equipment.
4
Storm worm
Like Conficker, Storm Worm infected the operating system. It is distributed over the network via e-mail with an infected file attached.
To send letters used catchy headers to attract the attention of users. An open file breaches the security system by collecting data and sending spam.
After its appearance in 2007, experts estimated that Storm Worm hit over 10 million computers.
5
Cih
The author of this program pursued quite noble goals. Taiwanese programmer Chen Ing-Hau just wanted to show the vulnerability of Tatung University security system.
But the virus he created, later called Chernobyl, quickly spread across the network, infecting millions of computers. He rewrote the BIOS, so that computers simply did not turn on after a virus hit.
The damage caused by CIH was estimated at almost 270 million dollars. So, it would seem, a simple security check led to the tragedy of the spread of the malicious application.
By the way, at TheBiggest you can also read about very ordinary, natural and very dangerous viruses.
6
Melissa
In 1999, the Melissa program spread over the network, which did not infect the computer, but began to send out letters by itself. Due to congestion, the system simply failed.
The speed of spread and the extent of the infection were so enormous that the FBI began to search for the creator. It turned out to be David Sith, who was sentenced to 20 months in prison, and also paid a fine.
The damage caused by Melissa was valued over $ 1 billion.
7
SQL Slammer
The dangerous worm, nicknamed “Sapphire” in a few minutes was able to slow down the speed of traffic in most countries of the world, affecting about 75,000 hosts. This trouble happened at the end of January 2003.
Due to its small size, it scattered quite easily and quickly over the network, and led to a malfunction in the provision of banking and financial system services. Most vulnerable were ATMs.
Hitting new computers via the sessionless UDP protocol, he sent hundreds of packets with his body in a split second.
8
Code red
In 2001, a new “worm” was released into the network, which attacked computers through a working Microsoft IIS web server.
Spreading through browsers, Code Red hit more than 400 thousand servers, including the White House server. “Code Red” replaced infected files, and the message “Hacked by the Chinese!” Was displayed on the monitor screen.
The search for intruders led to the Philippines, where the program was probably created by ethnic Chinese.
9
Sobig f
In August 2003, the sixth version of the Sobig virus began to be distributed via email. After opening the attached file in the letter, Sobig F began a quick mailing of his copies over the network.
Today it is the fastest spreading virus in the history of computer technology. During the day, he hit almost 1 million personal computers, and the damage was estimated at 4 billion dollars.
10
I LOVE YOU
Few people will be tempted to open a letter with the romantic name "I love you." The virus embedded in the letter quickly attacked millions of computers in all corners of the globe.
To distribute the program in 2000, the creators used the method of social engineering, when opening a file, users themselves transferred it further on the network.
And the editors of TheBiggest without various viruses can confess their love to their readers! We love you very much. Disinterestedly.
11
Mydoom
A worm that spreads quickly across the network in January 2004 infected several million computers in a couple of hours. Specialists and law enforcement agencies and now do not know the authors of the most dangerous application.
The worm managed to create the largest and most powerful botnet in history, with the help of which a dangerous virus attacked the world's largest software companies.
12
Stuxnet
Perhaps the most dangerous computer virus affects not only users' PCs, but also industrial systems. However, it was created to defeat the Iranian nuclear plant in 2010.
Today there is no exact evidence, but the malware was created by the intelligence services of the United States and Israel to destroy Iran’s nuclear program.
But, like most similar programs, Stuxnet independently spread across the network, infecting more computers.
13
Wannacry
In conclusion, we will talk about the latest programs that hit the world community in 2017. The WannaCry malware worm attacked computers around the world in May 2017.
The program, penetrating the operating system, blocks all data and requires a ransom for decryption. It is interesting that the authors of the ransomware demanded a ransom in bitcoins, which cannot be tracked in the financial settlement system.
Based on WannaCry, more advanced applications are created that are difficult to detect and block.
14
Petya
In June 2017, the network was attacked by the new Petya ransomware virus, the first modifications of which were discovered back in 2016.
Like WannaCry, the virus blocks data, and for decryption and access to a computer, it requires a ransom in bitcoins. But new modifications not only block data, but also hit the operating system launch.
Many experts agree that this application was not created with the purpose of redemption, but of causing large-scale damage. Perhaps the first attacks in June 2017 were trial ones, and more powerful attacks will follow.
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Conclusion
In recent years, cyber attacks have become commonplace in world life. And they use the latest technology.
Today it is difficult to name the area of human activity where computers would not be used. Electronic systems manage complex processes, and dangerous viruses that can affect software can simply infect control systems and lead to a global catastrophe.
Recently used viruses have shown that it is completely possible to block operating systems, and anti-virus developments are not able to prevent the development of malicious programs, although billions of dollars are being spent on them.
TheBiggest editors will be very grateful if you share your stories related to computer viruses with our readers. We look forward to your comments on what dangerous computer viruses took you by surprise.