I think you meant “When did computer viruses appear?”

Computer viruses have been a part of our digital lives for decades, causing frustration, data loss, and financial losses. In this article, we’ll take a look at the history of computer viruses and explore when they first emerged.

The Origins of Computer Viruses

The concept of a computer virus dates back to the 1940s, when the term “virus” was first used to describe a self-replicating program in a research paper by John von Neumann, a mathematician and computer scientist. However, the first actual computer virus was not created until the 1970s.

The First Computer Virus

The first known computer virus was called the “Creeper” virus, which was created in 1971 by Bob Thomas, a computer programmer at BBN Technologies. The Creeper virus was a simple virus that reproduced itself and displayed the message “I’m the creeper, catch me if you can!” on the screen.

The first virus to gain widespread attention was the “Elk Cloner,” which was created in 1982 by Rich Skrenta, a 15-year-old high school student. The Elk Cloner virus was a boot sector virus that infected Apple II computers and was spread through infected floppy disks.

The Rise of Malware

The 1980s saw the rise of malware, including viruses, Trojans, and worms. This was largely due to the widespread use of personal computers and the availability of removable media, such as floppy disks and compact discs.

Some notable computer viruses from this era include:

• The “Concept” virus, which was created in 1985 and was able to spread itself across different operating systems, including MS-DOS, Apple II, and Commodore 64.
• The “MORC” virus, which was created in 1986 and was designed to infect MS-DOS computers.
• The “Michelangelo” virus, which was created in 1989 and was designed to delete files on a victim’s computer on March 6, Michelangelo’s birthday.

The 1990s and 2000s saw the rise of more sophisticated malware, including viruses, Trojans, and worms that were able to spread themselves automatically through the internet.

In the 1990s, the “Melissa” virus became notorious for its ability to spread itself through Microsoft Word documents and deleting large amounts of data on infected computers.

In the 2000s, the “I Love You” virus, also known as the “Love Bug,” became a global phenomenon, infecting an estimated 50 million computers and causing widespread disruptions to email systems and networks.

Prevention and Protection

While computer viruses have been a part of our digital lives for decades, there are steps you can take to prevent and protect yourself from malware infections.

• Use antivirus software: Install and regularly update antivirus software to scan your computer for viruses and malware.
• Use strong passwords: Use unique and complex passwords for all accounts and change them regularly.
• Avoid suspicious software: Avoid downloading and installing software from unknown sources, and be cautious when clicking on links or opening attachments from unknown senders.
• Keep your operating system and software up to date: Regularly update your operating system and software to ensure you have the latest patches and security fixes.

Conclusion

Computer viruses have been a part of our digital lives for decades, causing frustration, data loss, and financial losses. While they can be a nuisance, there are steps you can take to prevent and protect yourself from malware infections. By using antivirus software, strong passwords, avoiding suspicious software, and keeping your operating system and software up to date, you can minimize the risk of your computer being infected by a virus.