Like I understand maybe wanting to get information maybe from like big government sources or something, but why do these viruses also target random people?
What is there to gain from screwing up a random person’s software?
Like is it just to be petty or are they gathering data??
In: 2
There are lots of reasons.
Something like ransomware is not too difficult to understand. You have files you don’t want to loose on your computer right? So if i keep you from accessing them and told you to pay you’d probably be inclined to pay.
The other bit reason is botnets. Someone wants more computing power than they could possibly access on their own. So they get into thousands of peoples computers and use them to get access to this power they cant use on their own.
If we’re talking about classic viruses like Chernobyl, there are several elements to this. A lot of this is mischievous instinct, but its also done for clout among hackers, the more successful the virus the better. The same can be used as a tech reel for a hacker that wants to be hired.
Eventually its about finding a vulnerability and exploiting it with a file that finds its way into systems.
In the more modern sense its about spying and stealing password/personal/credit card data to do financial crimes.
A computer virus is a piece of software that intentionally was create to achieve a goal without the permission of the user.
Those goals can be but are not limited to:
-steal data
-encrypt data
-create an access point to remote control your hardware
-annoy the user
-destroy machines and hardware (usually limited to industrial hardware)
After those goals are achieved, the creator of the virus can:
-blackmail you
-sell your data
-enjoy the chaos created
-use your hardware for another attack
A piece of code isn’t that hard to be created.
There are easy tutorials for “viruses” that let pop up faces of Nicholas Cage on your PC while you use it that are shorter than an hour.
The main problem is to bypass security measures and most of the time those are by passed by human factors, even today is the best anti-virus software a cautious and well trained user.
There are lots of reasons.
Something like ransomware is not too difficult to understand. You have files you don’t want to loose on your computer right? So if i keep you from accessing them and told you to pay you’d probably be inclined to pay.
The other bit reason is botnets. Someone wants more computing power than they could possibly access on their own. So they get into thousands of peoples computers and use them to get access to this power they cant use on their own.
There are lots of reasons.
Something like ransomware is not too difficult to understand. You have files you don’t want to loose on your computer right? So if i keep you from accessing them and told you to pay you’d probably be inclined to pay.
The other bit reason is botnets. Someone wants more computing power than they could possibly access on their own. So they get into thousands of peoples computers and use them to get access to this power they cant use on their own.
Back in the 80’s to 00’s they were mostly passion projects from random software devs, anyone could make a virus due to laws being less strict. They used to add their names and everything up to personalized political opinions. Now it’s more about money and exploiting people rather than getting good reactions.
If we’re talking about classic viruses like Chernobyl, there are several elements to this. A lot of this is mischievous instinct, but its also done for clout among hackers, the more successful the virus the better. The same can be used as a tech reel for a hacker that wants to be hired.
Eventually its about finding a vulnerability and exploiting it with a file that finds its way into systems.
In the more modern sense its about spying and stealing password/personal/credit card data to do financial crimes.
If we’re talking about classic viruses like Chernobyl, there are several elements to this. A lot of this is mischievous instinct, but its also done for clout among hackers, the more successful the virus the better. The same can be used as a tech reel for a hacker that wants to be hired.
Eventually its about finding a vulnerability and exploiting it with a file that finds its way into systems.
In the more modern sense its about spying and stealing password/personal/credit card data to do financial crimes.
A computer virus is a piece of software that intentionally was create to achieve a goal without the permission of the user.
Those goals can be but are not limited to:
-steal data
-encrypt data
-create an access point to remote control your hardware
-annoy the user
-destroy machines and hardware (usually limited to industrial hardware)
After those goals are achieved, the creator of the virus can:
-blackmail you
-sell your data
-enjoy the chaos created
-use your hardware for another attack
A piece of code isn’t that hard to be created.
There are easy tutorials for “viruses” that let pop up faces of Nicholas Cage on your PC while you use it that are shorter than an hour.
The main problem is to bypass security measures and most of the time those are by passed by human factors, even today is the best anti-virus software a cautious and well trained user.
A computer virus is a piece of software that intentionally was create to achieve a goal without the permission of the user.
Those goals can be but are not limited to:
-steal data
-encrypt data
-create an access point to remote control your hardware
-annoy the user
-destroy machines and hardware (usually limited to industrial hardware)
After those goals are achieved, the creator of the virus can:
-blackmail you
-sell your data
-enjoy the chaos created
-use your hardware for another attack
A piece of code isn’t that hard to be created.
There are easy tutorials for “viruses” that let pop up faces of Nicholas Cage on your PC while you use it that are shorter than an hour.
The main problem is to bypass security measures and most of the time those are by passed by human factors, even today is the best anti-virus software a cautious and well trained user.
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