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program that is loaded onto your computer without your knowledge and runs against your
wishes. Viruses can replicate themselves. All computer viruses are
manmade. A simple virus that can make a copy of itself over and over
again is relatively easy to produce. Even such a simple virus is
dangerous because it will quickly use all available memory and bring
the system to a halt. An even more dangerous type of virus is one
capable of transmitting itself across networks and bypassing security
systems.
Some people distinguish between
general viruses and worms. A worm is a special type
of virus that can replicate itself and use memory, but cannot attach
itself to other programs.
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