Help Desk - Computer Virus Information 837 Chestnut Ridge Rd. A computer virus is an executable file designed to replicate itself and avoid detection. A virus may try to avoid detection by disguising itself as a legitimate program. Viruses are often rewritten and adjusted so that they will not be detected. Anti-virus programs must be updated continuously to look for new and modified viruses.
Viruses are the number-one method of computer vandalism.
There are over 5000 known viruses, and new virus strains continue to show up regularly. The rate of virus infection is also increasing. In the United States, creating or distributing a virus is classified as a computer crime, and is a federal offense. The Electronic Privacy Act of 1986 is the most noteworthy legislation against the fraudulent use of computers. Europe has enacted the Computer Misuse Act of 1991, which specifically states that creating or knowingly distributing a computer virus is a criminal act.