computer virus

noun

1. virus ( def 4 ).

computer virus

1. A program that enters a computer usually without the knowledge of the operator. Some viruses are mild and only cause messages to appear on the screen, but others are destructive and can wipe out the computer's memory or cause more severe damage.

Notes

The creation of computer viruses can be part of cyberwarfare .

Computer viruses spread from machine to machine on disks or, more commonly, over the Internet .

Word History and Origins

Origin of computer virus¹

First recorded in 1985–90

Example Sentences

Think about the advent of the circuit breaker to avoid electrocution, and anti-virus software to stave off computer viruses.

From Time

He railed about the dire threat of computer viruses, sometimes hyping the danger well beyond reality.

From Washington Post

The term was coined in 1992 when Neal Stephenson published his hit sci-fi novel Snow Crash, in which the protagonist moves between a virtual world and the real world fighting a computer virus.

From Singularity Hub 

A computer virus performs self‐reproduction with variations.

From Quanta Magazine

It's a terrific bit of sci-fi, imaging what might happen when our totally networked world meets a really smart computer virus.

From The Daily Beast