What are the most dangerous computer viruses?
There is no definitive answer to this question as it largely depends on individual circumstances. However, some of the most dangerous computer viruses include the following:
The WannaCry ransomware attack was a global ransomware incident that occurred in May 2017. The malware infected over 230,000 computers in 150 countries, resulting in estimated damages of over $4 billion.
The Petya/NotPetya malware attack occurred in June 2017 and caused massive disruption across Ukraine and neighbouring countries. It is estimated to have caused damages of over $10 billion.
The MyDoom virus is a particularly destructive virus that was first released in January 2004. It is estimated to have caused over $38 billion in damages.
The SoBig virus was first released in August 2003 and caused significant disruption to email servers around the world. It is estimated to have caused over $37 billion in damages.
TheMelissa virus was first released in March 1999 and quickly spread to infect over 1 million computers. It caused significant disruption to email servers and is estimated to have caused over $80 million in damages.
What are the most dangerous PC viruses?
Most dangerous PC viruses
There are many different types of viruses that can infect computers, and each has its own features and potential risks. Some viruses are designed to simply cause annoyance or disruption, while others can cause serious damage to your system or even data loss. Here are some of the most dangerous viruses that have been released in recent years, and which you should be aware of.
1. WannaCry
WannaCry is a ransomware virus that emerged in May 2017. It quickly spread around the world, affecting over 200,000 computers in 150 countries. The virus encrypted data on infected computers and demanded a ransom be paid in order to have it decrypted. WannaCry caused major disruption for organisations including the UK’s National Health Service, where it led to the cancellation of appointments and operations.
2. NotPetya
NotPetya is another ransomware virus, which emerged in June 2017. Unlike WannaCry, which primarily targeted Windows computers, NotPetya also infected Macs and Linux machines. It used the same exploit as WannaCry – known as “EternalBlue” – to quickly spread around the world. The virus caused particular damage in Ukraine, where it disrupted banks, airports and ATMs.
3. Cryptolocker
Cryptolocker is a virus that emerged in 2013 and which primarily targeted Windows computers. It encrypts files on an infected computer and demands a ransom be paid in order to decrypt them. Cryptolocker has been particularly damaging as it can infect not only individual computers but also entire networks. It is estimated that the virus has caused over $3 billion in damage.
4. Stuxnet
Stuxnet is a virus that was discovered in 2010 and which is believed to have been created by the US and Israeli governments. It is a sophisticated piece of malware that was specifically designed to target industrial control systems, such as those used in nuclear facilities. While it is not believed that Stuxnet caused any serious damage, it demonstrated the potential for viruses to be used for hostile purposes.
5. Zeus
Zeus is a virus that emerged in 2007 and which is designed to steal banking information. It does this by infecting computers and then recording the user’s keystrokes when they visit online banking websites. Zeus has been used in a number of high-profile attacks, including on the US military’s Central Command network.
These are just some of the most dangerous viruses that have been released in recent years. While some, like WannaCry and NotPetya, have caused major disruption, others, like Cryptolocker, have caused significant financial damage. Be sure to keep your antivirus software up-to-date and run regular scans to protect your computer from these and other threats.
Visit malwarezero.org to learn more about most dangerous pc viruses. Disclaimer: We used this website as a reference for this blog post.