April 5 2020
What are the differences between a computer virus and “a virus”?
Computer virus is written by a man while “a virus” is a work of nature, evolution, God or Satan, depending on one's beliefs;
Computer virus needs a medium it is written on (for instance a hard drive) while “a virus” can survive on surfaces, in the air, in the ground, even a permafrost;
What are the similarities between computer virus and “a virus”?
A virus can also be created by a man. Read We generated and characterized a chimeric virus...
Both need a living host: computer, which is turned on and connected to other computers, or bacteria, plants, birds, animals or humans (all connected to each other), to act, multiply and spread;
Outside of their respective hosts, both a computer virus and a virus are just a dormant code;
Both have ability to plug, connect, and penetrate the host in the same way as a flash drive, or a CD is inserted into a computer;
Both can be destroyed by their respective “anti-virus” programs/agents;
Both can be held away: one by an “anti-virus” software standing on guard, another - by immune system;
Both infections can be prevented by practicing good hygiene: isolation from other hosts, not inserting unverified media into the computer/not allowing strangers to touch, etc., regurlarly scanning the system with “anti-virus”/washing hands;
Both require keeping defenses up to date: “anti-virus” software must be regularly updated (in fact it is usually updated several times per day)/vaccinations and boosters;
Both can controlled easier, if operating system/body is up to date and in a good shape;
Both can be used for malicious purposes as well as for noble causes, such as treating a host;
Last, but not least, both can destroy a host!