The 20 most costly PC viruses
There are literally hundreds of different computer viruses in existence today, but only a handful of them are responsible for the majority of infections. In fact, according to a study conducted by an antivirus software company, 20 specific viruses account for more than 80% of all infections.
So, which are the most costly PC viruses? Here are the top 20, in no particular order:
1. WannaCry
WannaCry is a ransomware virus that first emerged in May of 2017. It quickly spread around the globe, infecting more than 200,000 computers in 150 countries. The virus encrypts victims’ files and then demands a ransom payment in order to decrypt them.
While the average ransom payment was only about $300, the total damages caused by WannaCry are estimated to be over $4 billion.
2. NotPetya
NotPetya is another ransomware virus that caused major havoc in 2017. This virus first emerged in June and quickly spread throughout Ukraine before making its way to other countries.
Like WannaCry, NotPetya encrypts victims’ files and demands a ransom payment. However, the average ransom payment for this virus is much higher, at around $1,000. The total damages caused by NotPetya are estimated to be over $10 billion.
3. ILOVEYOU
ILOVEYOU is a virus that first emerged in 2000. It quickly spread throughout the world, infecting more than 50 million computers.
ILOVEYOU is a malware virus that masquerades as a love letter. Once opened, the virus would delete important files on the victim’s computer and then send itself to everyone in their address book. The total damages caused by ILOVEYOU are estimated to be over $5.5 billion.
4. MyDoom
MyDoom is a virus that first emerged in 2004. It is primarily spread through email attachments and infected over 6 million computers.
MyDoom is a malware virus that allows the attacker to gain remote access to the victim’s computer. Once infected, the victim’s computer would be used to send spam emails and launch denial-of-service attacks. The total damages caused by MyDoom are estimated to be over $38 billion.
5. Conficker
Conficker is a virus that first emerged in 2008. It quickly spread throughout the world, infecting more than 10 million computers.
Conficker is a malware virus that allows the attacker to gain remote access to the victim’s computer. Once infected, the victim’s computer would be used to send spam emails and launch denial-of-service attacks. The total damages caused by Conficker are estimated to be over $9 billion.
6. Sasser
Sasser is a virus that first emerged in 2004. It quickly spread throughout the world, infecting more than 1 million computers.
Sasser is a worm virus that specifically targets computers running the Windows operating system. Once a computer is infected, the worm will replicate itself and spread to other computers on the network. The total damages caused by Sasser are estimated to be over $1 billion.
7. Code Red
Code Red is a virus that first emerged in 2001. It quickly spread throughout the world, infecting more than 350,000 computers.
Code Red is a worm virus that specifically targets computers running the Windows operating system. Once a computer is infected, the worm will replicate itself and spread to other computers on the network. The total damages caused by Code Red are estimated to be over $2 billion.
8. Nimda
Nimda is a virus that first emerged in 2001. It quickly spread throughout the world, infecting more than 12 million computers.
Nimda is a malware virus that allows the attacker to gain remote access to the victim’s computer. Once infected, the victim’s computer would be used to send spam emails and launch denial-of-service attacks. The total damages caused by Nimda are estimated to be over $2 billion.
9. Melissa
Melissa is a virus that first emerged in 1999. It quickly spread throughout the world, infecting more than 2 million computers.
Melissa is a malware virus that masquerades as a love letter. Once opened, the virus would delete important files on the victim’s computer and then send itself to everyone in their address book. The total damages caused by Melissa are estimated to be over $1 billion.
10. SQL Slammer
SQL Slammer is a virus that first emerged in 2003. It quickly spread throughout the world, infecting more than 75,000 computers.
SQL Slammer is a worm virus that specifically targets computers running the Microsoft SQL Server. Once a computer is infected, the worm will replicate itself and spread to other computers on the network. The total damages caused by SQL Slammer are estimated to be over $1 billion.
11. Stuxnet
Stuxnet is a virus that first emerged in 2010. It is believed to have been created by the US and Israeli governments for the purpose of sabotaging Iran’s nuclear program.
However, the virus ended up spreading beyond its intended target, eventually infecting more than 100,000 computers in over 100 countries. The total damages caused by Stuxnet are estimated to be over $2 billion.
12. Zeus
Zeus is a virus that first emerged in 2007. It quickly spread throughout the world, infecting more than 13 million computers.
Zeus is a malware virus that allows the attacker to gain remote access to the victim’s computer. Once infected, the victim’s computer would be used to send spam emails and launch denial-of-service attacks. The total damages caused by Zeus are estimated to be over $3 billion.
13. Cryptolocker
Cryptolocker is a virus that first emerged in 2013. It quickly spread throughout the world, infecting more than 500,000 computers.
Cryptolocker is a ransomware virus that encrypts victims’ files and then demands a ransom payment in order to decrypt them. While the average ransom payment was only about $300, the total damages caused by Cryptolocker are estimated to be over $3 billion.
14. Cerber
Cerber is a virus that first emerged in 2016. It quickly spread throughout the world, infecting more than 200,000 computers.
Cerber is a ransomware virus that encrypts victims’ files and then demands a ransom payment in order to decrypt them. While the average ransom payment was only about $500, the total damages caused by Cerber are estimated to be over $5 billion.
15. Locky
Locky is a virus that first emerged in 2016. It quickly spread throughout the world, infecting more than 500,000 computers.
Locky is a ransomware virus that encrypts victims’ files and then demands a ransom payment in order to decrypt them. While the average ransom payment was only about $500, the total damages caused by Locky are estimated to be over $3 billion.
16. Petya
Petya is a virus that first emerged in 2016. It quickly spread throughout the world, infecting more than 250,000 computers.
Petya is a ransomware virus that encrypts victims’ files and then demands a ransom payment in order to decrypt them. While the average ransom payment was only about $500, the total damages caused by Petya are estimated to be over $1 billion.
17. Dharma
Dharma is a virus that first emerged in 2016. It quickly spread throughout the world, infecting more than 100,000 computers.
Dharma is a ransomware virus that encrypts victims’ files and then demands a ransom payment in order to decrypt them. While the average ransom payment was only about $500, the total damages caused by Dharma are estimated to be over $500 million.
18. Jigsaw
Jigsaw is a virus that first emerged in 2016. It quickly spread throughout the world, infecting more than 100,000 computers.
Jigsaw is a ransomware virus that encrypts victims’ files and then demands a ransom payment in order to decrypt them. While the average ransom payment was only about $200, the total damages caused by Jigsaw are estimated to be over $500 million.
19. CryptoLocker 2.0
CryptoLocker 2.0 is a virus that first emerged in 2014. It quickly spread throughout the world, infecting more than 100,000 computers.
CryptoLocker 2.0 is a ransomware virus that encrypts victims’ files and then demands a ransom payment in order to decrypt them. While the average ransom payment was only about $500, the total damages caused by CryptoLocker 2.0 are estimated to be over $1 billion.
20. Spora
Spora is a virus that first emerged in 2016. It quickly spread throughout the world, infecting more than 100,000 computers.
Spora is a ransomware virus that encrypts victims’ files and then demands a ransom payment in order to decrypt them. While the average ransom payment was only about $200, the total damages caused by Spora are estimated to be over $500 million.
As you can see, these 20 viruses have caused billions of dollars in damages around the world. And unfortunately, there’s no telling when the next big virus will emerge. So, be sure to keep your antivirus software up-to-date and be careful when opening email attachments or clicking on links from unknown sources..See page
The most dangerous PC viruses of 2019
Computers have come a long way since their inception, and so have viruses. As technology advances, so do the strategies and motivations of those who create malware. In 2019, we saw a number of new and unique viruses, as well as a few old favorites that made a comeback. Here are the most dangerous viruses of the year.
The most common type of malware is still the trojan horse. This is a virus that pretends to be something else, like a legitimate program or file. When you download and run it, it installs a malicious program that can do anything from stealing your personal information to holding your computer hostage until you pay a ransom.
One of the most destructive trojans this year was Emotet. First appearing in 2014, Emotet lay dormant for a few years before suddenly resurfacing in 2018. Since then, it has been one of the most active and dangerous viruses around. Emotet is primarily spread through spam emails that contain infected attachments or links. Once it’s on your computer, it can steal your passwords, infect other computers on your network, and even send out more spam emails from your account.
Another trojan that caused a lot of damage this year was crypto-jacking software. This type of virus covertly uses your computer’s resources to mine cryptocurrency for the attacker. While this might not sound too dangerous, crypto-jacking software can slow down your computer to the point where it becomes unusable, and it can also put a strain on your electricity bill.
Ransomware is another type of malware that has been around for a while but continues to be a major problem. This is a virus that encrypts your files and demands a ransom to decrypt them. In some cases, the attackers will even threaten to delete your files if you don’t pay up. Ransomware is often spread through phishing emails or malicious websites. Once it’s on your system, it can be very difficult to remove.
One of the most notorious ransomware viruses in recent years is WannaCry. This virus took the world by storm in 2017, infecting more than 230,000 computers in 150 countries. WannaCry encrypts your files and demands a ransom of $300 in Bitcoin. It also has a destructive component that will delete your files if you don’t pay within seven days. WannaCry is spread through a vulnerability in the Windows operating system.
Finally, we have viruses that are designed to simply wreak havoc. These are typically known as worms, and they are often spread through email attachments or removable media like USB drives. One of the most destructive worms in recent years is NotPetya. This virus first appeared in 2016 and caused more than $10 billion in damage. It encrypts your hard drive and then deletes your master boot record, making it impossible to boot your computer. NotPetya is believed to have been created by the Russian military to damage Ukraine’s infrastructure.
These are just a few of the most dangerous viruses of 2019. While there are many other types of malware out there, these are the ones that have caused the most damage. As we move into 2020, it’s important to be aware of the threats that exist and to take steps to protect your computer.
All material on this site was made with malwarezero.org as the authority reference. More information.