A computer virus is a program or piece of code that is loaded onto

your computer without your knowledge and runs against your wishes.
Viruses can also replicate themselves. All computer viruses are manmade.
Below is a list of different types of computer viruses and what they
do.
Macro Viruses
These viruses infect the files created using some applications or
programs that contain macros such as doc, pps, xls and mdb. They
automatically infect the files with macros and also templates and
documents that are contained in the file. They hide in documents shared
through e-mail and networks.
Memory Resident Viruses
They usually fix themselves inside the computer memory. They get
activated every time the OS runs and end up infecting other opened files.
They hide in RAM.
Overwrite Viruses
These types of viruses delete any information in a file they infect,
leaving them partially or completely useless once they are infected. Once
in the computer, they replaces all the file content but the file size doesnt
change.
Direct Action Viruses
These viruses mainly replicate or take action once they are executed.
When a certain condition is met, the viruses will act by infecting the files
in the directory or the folder specified in the AUTOEXEC.BAT. The viruses
are generally found in the hard disks root directory, but they keep on
changing location.
Directory Virus

Also known as cluster virus or file system virus. They infect the
computers directory by changing the path indicating file location. They
are usually located in the disk but affect the entire directory.
Web Scripting Virus
Most web pages include some complex codes in order to create an
interactive and interesting content. Such a code is often exploited to
cause certain undesirable actions. They mostly originate from the infected
web pages or browsers.
Multipartite Virus
These type of viruses spread in many different ways. Their actions
vary depending on the OS installed and presence of certain files. They
tend to hide in the computers memory but do not infect the hard disk.
FAT Viruses
These lardy viruses attack the file allocation table (FAT) which is the
disc part used to store every information about the available space,
location of files, unusable space etc.
Companion Viruses
These types of viruses infect files just like the direct action and the
resident types. Once inside the computer, they accompany other
existing files.
Polymorphic Virus
They encode or encrypt themselves in a different way every time they
infect your computer. They use different encryption and algorithms. This
makes it difficult for the antivirus software to locate them using signature
or string searches (since they are very different in each encryption).
Worm
This program is very similar to a virus and has the ability to selfreplicate leading to negative effects on your computer.

 Trojans
Trojans can illegally trace important login details of users online. For
example E-Banking is very common among users, therefore, vulnerability
of tracing your login details whenever your PC is working without any
strong powerful antivirus installed.
Email Virus
This is a virus spread via an email. Such a virus will hide in an email
and when the recipient opens the mail.
Browser Hijacker
This virus can spread in many different ways including a voluntary
download. If infects certain browser functions especially in form of redirecting the user automatically to certain sites. A good example is
Boot Infectors
They include the boot sector plus master boot record types. All the
viral codes can be separate location; however they infect the hard disks
or the floppy.
From what we have seen, the many types of computer viruses and
their effects are very harmful and can completely damage your system.so
We must Protect Ourselves,
There are a few basic rules that computer users should follow to
short-circuit viruses. The best known bit of advice is this:
1. Never open any attachment unless you know who it's from and
why they are sending it. Refusing to open unsolicited e-mail of
any kind is the only sure-fire way to sidestep all forms of trouble.

2. Anti-virus software is crucial to preventing virus attacks, but this

strategy only works if users update their software.Unfortunately,
'keeping it current' means updating it weekly, at least but most

products today allow one to automate this process, but file

downloads can be large and slow.

3. Factors to consider when buying an anti-virus package include

cost, quality of tech support, how frequently the package selfupdates and the platforms supported by the program.