Computer viruses, like their biological counterparts, easily replicate, are difficult to detect, are very hard to get rid of, and have the potential to be highly destructive.
To you, a computer virus might be a nuisance that can be taken care of with efficient anti-virus software. If that worked, then consider yourself lucky, because there have been computer viruses in the past that have caused millions and even billions of dollars worth of damage around the world.
Here is our list of the most destructive PC viruses of all time.
1. Melissa
The Melissa virus struck on March 26, 1999 and caused over 300 million dollars worth of damage worldwide. The virus used Microsoft Outlook to spread itself, and that is why it hit the business sector especially hard. The virus would arrive under the pretence of an important office document, and upon opening it, used the first fifty contacts from the users contact list to forward itself. It corrupted anywhere from 20 to 30 percent of the data on the computer.
2. ILoveYou
With over ten billion dollars worth of estimated damage, ILoveYou is considered one of the most destructive computer viruses ever created. This virus entered the scene on May 3, 2000 and fooled users into activating it under the pretence of a love letter from an admirer. The virus re-wrote most files (words, text, video and music) with its own code. Very much like Melissa, the virus used Microsoft Outlook to forward itself, but on such a large scale that even governments were forced to take their mailing systems offline.
3. Code Red
Code Red attacked Microsoft’s Internet Information Server (ISS) and was so proficient at hiding that it left behind no trail whatsoever. It was discovered by accident on July 21, 2001 by a digital security firm, but despite that, it continued to rampage unimpeded for 20 days. Code Red attacked a weakness in the ISS and used that to spread itself. The damage it caused was estimated at just under 3 billion dollars.
4. My Doom
The destructiveness of My Doom can be measured by the fact that it slowed the web load by fifty percent and the internet by ten percent all around the world. My Doom was discovered on January 26, 2004 and was immediately named the fastest spreading and most destructive virus since ILoveYou. It was disguised to look like a mailing error and was activated once the user tried to delete it, from where it emailed itself as an attachment.
5. Sasser
Sasser started spreading on April 30, 2004. It was so powerful that it managed to shut off satellites and disrupt airline systems. What was unique about this virus was that it used Windows Update to hide itself. Once the user started the update, Sasser would start its purpose of crashing the device.
Not all computer viruses are as destructive as the ones mentioned above. Some are created by accident and do nothing more than creating a temporary hindrance in the functionality of your computer. But you need efficient anti-virus software to take care of it. At Rapid IT Support, we provide you 24-hour IT support, anti-virus installation, and virus removal from computer. To avail these services, register at Rapid IT support right now!
