Eli5 – How are computer viruses created without destroying the creator’s computer first?

Question

I’ve always wondered how computer viruses are made. If someone creates a virus on their own computer, wouldn’t it infect and potentially destroy their system first before it’s spread to others?

In: 249

Answer 1

A virus or other piece of malicious software (“malware”) is just a computer file. It’s not dangerous unless it’s in a place where it is going to get executed.

A big part of how viruses spread is by tricking people into putting them into places where they will be executed. (For example, a Trojan Horse hiding inside a cute animated greeting card.)

And for testing viruses, both creators and researchers use isolated computers or small networks that can be completely wiped after testing.