Computer Operations and Viral Operations

Abstract

This chapter has two purposes. The first is to outline the specific actions and functions of viral programs in the two major classes: boot sector infectors and file infectors. However, the bulk of the chapter looks at computer operations in general and how viral programs use them. One of the main points to keep in mind here is that viral programs don’t use any radically different operations from other computer applications. This is vitally important to keep in mind when trying to set up an impregnable defense. Quite simply, such defense isn’t possible.