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

>wouldn’t it infect and potentially destroy their system first before it’s spread to others?

Yes. When creating (or studying) computer viruses you need an environment to test it.

Virtual Machines (and entire Virtual networks) can simulate the infection and replication methods. You can “clone/pause/rewind/restart” virtual machines easily, without having to use “real” machines and risk unwanted spreading of malware.