Since the first nefarious self-copying code was unleashed back in 1986, computer viruses have been causing your computers and devices sick. Certain viruses can damage your devices, while others can slow down or even steal your data. However, most of the time, you can get a virus off your device if it is removed quickly.

A virus is a bit of software that, just like the flu virus, is able to reproduce by attaching itself to files and programs, infect them, and then make copies of themselves. Once an infection by a virus is detected in an application, it may be transmitted to other programs and devices connected to the same network. These viruses can cause all sorts of damage. They can steal passwords and credit cards, delete data, corrupt software, or even completely take over your system.

Depending on the kind of virus, it might spread from one machine to another via text or email attachments, Internet file downloads, or social media scam links. Viruses can even infect smartphones and mobile devices through hiding inside of shady app downloads. Some viruses have a playful intent and are designed to cause amusement and entertainment, while others are made to make money.

In the majority of countries, creating and spreading a computer virus is a crime. But if you’re curious to learn more, you can discover how to create a simple virus using Notepad along with other tools. It’s not for the faint of heart but it’s a fun method to test your programming abilities. You’ll need a plan for how your virus will international employment contracts behave once it’s infected with the system. This could range from displaying a warning to deletion of data or causing corruption or even contacting contacts lists of your friends.