What is the most deadly computer virus and why?
In May 2017, the WannaCry ransomware attack began infecting computers all over the world with malware that encrypted users’ files and demanded a ransom be paid in Bitcoin in order to regain access. This attack was particularly damaging because it exploiteted a critical security vulnerability in Microsoft Windows that had been previously revealed by the National Security Agency.
While WannaCry was certainly a destructive force, it is not the most deadly computer virus of all time. That dubious distinction goes to the Mydoom virus, which was unleashed in 2004.
Mydoom was a fast-spreading worm that appeared to be primarily designed to launch distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks against two specific targets: the SCO Group and Microsoft. However, in addition to its DDoS capabilities, Mydoom also included a keylogger that secretly recorded victims’ keystrokes and then emailed that information back to the attackers. This meant that not only was Mydoom spreading itself rapidly, it was also stealing sensitive information like passwords and credit card numbers.
The Mydoom virus was so destructive that it caused an estimated $38 billion in damage, making it the most costly malware attack in history at the time. It’s believed that Mydoom was created by a Russian programmer who was hired by someone with a grudge against the SCO Group. As for why it was so effective, that’s largely due to the fact that it was able to spread quickly through email attachments and exploit security vulnerabilities in unpatched systems.
These days, there are much more sophisticated malware attacks to worry about. But it’s important to remember that even a relatively simple virus like Mydoom can cause a huge amount of damage if it’s not taken care of quickly.
What is the most destructive computer virus of all time?
The most destructive computer virus of all time is the ILOVEYOU virus. It was first released in May 2000 and spread quickly, infecting more than 50 million computers in just a few days. The virus caused an estimated $15 billion in damage, making it the most costly virus outbreak in history.
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