From small Something happened to me, if you were mine generation, will probably lead you to the mind old memories. 🥹
Click on a online games (games. it for the veterans) and boom... sudden popups, fake buttons "X" that they closed nothing and download "automatic" you didn't even ask. 🧐
Here, I've fallen a bit. embarrassing number of times.
And what was the result? A PC that started breathing like Darth Vader After two stairs... slow slow, veneeredSometimes unusable. Well, I dumped some. virus virus virus unintentionally. 🦠
And yes, it's called "virus virus virus" because theanalogy with the biology is not entirely random.
The first "virus": Creeper (1971) and the beginning of history
In fact, although Creeper is often called virus virus virus, is a worm worm worm worm worm worm, i.e. a programme it all can spread in autonomy through one Network. 🛜
At the time the Network it was ARPANET, antenata of Internet, created by U.S. Department of Defense for purposes Military (and then also used in academics). 🪱
Creeper was born as demonstration, show that a program could "move" between connected computers on the network.
He wasn't mean like those who turn to today, Nothing. Ransomware, no data theft, no serious changes. It was a experiment that, however, has opened the road to Computer security it all today we know.
What did Creeper do, basically?
Creeper infected machines with a specific operating system... TENEX (today) no longer in use).
And so the first doubt that comes to mind is:
Okay, but how the hell? It's all right. from one computer to another in the 1970s? 🤔
Here it is essential to make some context. ARPANET was made up of a few computers, often always on, connected with each other and remotely accessible... with very few protections.
Creeper He used this, using remote access mechanisms similar to Telnet to connect to another computer, copy your code and start on the new system using remote execution functions already present. For this reason it is defined as worm worm worm worm worm worm, virus virus virus require user startup. 🥸
Once "inside", he also showed a message in full style of Roman nerd cumon (Daje Roma Daje):
I’m the creeper: catch me if you can! 🤠
Didn't erase data neither caused damage, was more of a Technical demonstration that it was possible perform an attack on this network.
Then he did something special. He tried to erase himself from the original computer, continuing to "live life" only on that new.
So, more than multiplying infinity, it moved. We can say Creeper He didn't do the system. but using system rules against the system itself thanks to theabsence of security.
Virus vs worm worm
In general, a virus virus virus 🦠 is a programme it all replicates when executed (for example when you open an infected file).
The worm worm worm worm worm worm invece, on the other hand, has the fixed idea of doing something simple, move and spread independently.
And in fact today malware "Yes" often:
- they attack file or existing programmes
- yes replicate when you run them
- try to hide
- and maybe damage (cancel or encrypt files, etc.)
Then there are some cases where no need is even the click, the malware scans the network and exploits vulnerabilities, entering alone. Attention to unprotected networks!
WannaCry: a global digital epidemic
A perfect example is WannaCry 😭 (May 2017), a worm worm worm worm worm worm it all has caused one of More serious global digital epidemics.
He exploited one vulnerability of Microsoft Windows for automatically spread between computer connected in network, encrypting files and asking for ransom in Bitcoin. ₿
And here's something that always drove me crazy... blackmail is not only a technical matter, it is also psychological!
You pay and ask yourself:
Okay. But you really give me back the files? 🧐
And if you don't only one part? ✊🏼
♪ then asks you another ransom?
It is a dynamic looks like a bet, you already put money, and so the mind tends to want to "recover" and continues to play.
Reaper: the first antivirus (and the beginning of the digital "biological war")
And already herebiological analogy becomes obvious, Reaper it spreads on the net and when he found Creeper in execution, eliminated.
As a immune system that "recognizes" intruder and neutralize.
Why analogy with biology?
Let's imagine we're in one cold winter dayOn a full bus 🚌, surrounded by many people , one suddenly sneezes.
The biological virus 🦠 yes diffuses from one person to another, Come on. in body, Infected and replica.
♪ you have antibodies, they look for him and They're killing me.. Top! 💪🏼
But if you don't (sing) I don't know), the virus turn undisturbed!
Time we replace on body with computer, the biological virus with Computer virus and antibodies with antivirus!
Here. because they are called viruses… the reasoning is the same. Share le The same Key features. 🔑
"Okay, but the antibodies learn. Antiviruses are not." True... to some point
Update a antivirus means also insert new “things to control" during the scan scan scan: signatures, suspicious behaviors, patterns. 🕵🏻♂️
And it's not that virus virus virus always hides in a obvious place, can end up in files or folders that ignore completely (or you don't even know). 🤷🏻♂️
For this reason, keep theantivirus is very important! Allow him to Stay in step with the new virus virus virus in circulation.
Modern Antivirus: not only list of "bad" but observation of behavior
The antivirus do not just "name and surname" of malware.
Note What makes a program, for example if a file:
- copy yourself around
- Change Logs
- try to bypass protections
... theantivirus start twisting your nose:
Nice, you know, I don't like you. 🤔
And so take insulation systems and escalation of privileges.
Behind these ingenious ideas are companies and community of people it all study every new virus and try to prevent its spread. 📚
So yes: virus is not a chosen name for marketing
Many computer virus virus use polymorphism techniques… change on own code, i.e. "change" to escape detection. 🏃🏻♂️
Just like the Biological viruses evolving for evade on immune system.
So, when you think of a biological virus, think of something that:
- Infected and yes diffuses
- yes Authorization in host body
- It is harmful
- may camouflage or change
And that's exactly what a computer virus does! Same.
That's why, in the end, we didn't call them "virus virus virus" by chance... simply imitate nature. 🌿
