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6 Facts You Probably Didn’t Know about Computer Virus Creators
Filed Under: Security
Computer viruses are a pain, and cause most of us to avoid opening attachments and downloading potentially useful programs. They make us almost afraid to use our computers the way they were intended. This begs the question, why? What do virus creators get out of writing that malicious code?
Hackers and Virus Writers are Different
First of all, it’s important to realize that people who make viruses and people who call themselves hackers are not the same thing. Hackers are usually far more sophisticated in their methods and usually out for a different goal. Hackers might do things like turn computers into “zombie systems” that all work on the command of a main server computer. They use the system resources for thing like running sophisticated password-cracking programs and decrypting programs. Hackers are also more likely to hack to help them steal, while virus writers are more likely vandals than thieves. Writing a virus isn’t even illegal in most states.
Virus Writers are Often Children
Grade-school kids and teens can learn to write viruses and often do to experiment with their growing computer skills. That doesn’t mean they’re all kids, but many are, and most are men and boys under 30. Some people do write viruses for legitimate purposes such as to test a system’s security, without realizing the damage their code can do. But in many cases, these bits of malicious code are written by the younger set.
Virus Writers May Be in it For Fun
Hackers have goals. They want something. Virus writers are often just playing around and may want to cause a bit of a problem, but underestimate how serious the problem can really be. Most virus writers who intend to do serious damage are older people, chiefly men, who are unhappy with a workplace, company or government. In many cases, news reports about the potential damage a virus can cause are highly overstated, probably to make sure people take the warning seriously.
Virus Writers Often Don’t Have a Target
When a system, company or government is specifically targeted in an attack, you’re almost always looking at the work of a hacker rather than a virus writer. In fact, most viruses aren’t written so that they can destroy anything, but that’s sometimes the result.
Virus Writers aren’t Geniuses
Some may be, of course, but someone who writes a virus really doesn’t have to have any special coding skills. It’s scary to think of, but anyone with a basic understanding of programming is capable of creating a virus. Many of us picture someone who lives and breathes computers and could write world-crushing code in his sleep, but this is unlikely. The most damaging, self-replicating viruses probably do require a lot of proficiency. But many basic viruses could be, and often are, written by kids with basic programming knowledge. And existing viruses are the basis for news ones, so most new viruses aren’t written from scratch, making it even easier.
Virus Writers Will Become More Destructive
Because new writers use old viruses to build onto rather than creating new viruses from scratch, that means the potential for more damage exists each time. Security watchers believe that soon viruses will be able to take down just about all mobile devices as well as computers. Education as far as what to avoid on your system, and how to install antivirus programs and use them properly, is important in protecting systems from future virus threats.
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