What is a computer virus? Is it a nick-name for something else? A computer is a machine not living.

A computer virus is malicious program written to damage the computer or steel information. They are designed to self replicate and spread much like a real virus does. Some of them are even designed to change themselves over time to avoid detection.

They are not really a virus, but they do to your computer much the same thing a real virus does to your body. Unlike a biological virus, computer viruses must be created and released. They don't just happen.

A computer virus is not an actual disease, it's a malicious self-replicating computer program. Sometimes people call computer viruses 'malware'. They can ruin your computer, or they can just hijack it so that other people you don't even know can track what your do or actually use your computer themselves.

Most viruses just mess up your computer though.

People create computer viruses for all kinds of reasons. Sometimes they just have issues and like to do destructive things. Other times there's an agenda. Running antivirus software and keeping it updated can help protect your computer from viruses. I have a Mac because Macs are not as prone to virus attacks, although supposedly there have been a few.

Here's the deal, Every time you surf the Internet you pick up some sort of potential virus. This is done mainly to keep tabs on your surfing habits.

Most of the time these little viruses are harmless, but unfortunately you do get some assholes who try to be a little bit too clever, and make it virtually impossible to remove their programs from your hard drive.

For instance I recently downloaded some free software to protect my computer from spyware and other threats.

Turns out it was the free software that was the problem because even though I have completely removed the software from my hard-drive.

I still get a pop up every time I start my computer from the same people

A computer virus is just like those tiny almost invisible animals that invade your body and then cause you to fall sick by attacking vital parts of your system.