The first computer virus in the history of technology was created back in 1983, and three years later, malicious programs began to be used to damage computer networks, damage and steal information.

Every year, more and more advanced viruses appear, and high-speed Internet allows them to spread at a tremendous speed. Today's top ten included the most dangerous computer viruses in their entire history.

10. Brain

It was the first virus in the world designed for IBM-compatible computers, which caused a global epidemic in 1986. It was written by two Pakistani programmers and pretty soon went beyond Pakistan.

9. Win95.CIH

The virus was discovered in 1998. It contained a logic bomb designed to corrupt the contents of the BIOS and destroy information on hard drives. The program always worked on April 26 - on the day of the Chernobyl accident. Win95.CIH was the first virus to spoil not only programs, but also computer hardware.

8. LoveLetter

This virus appeared in 2000 and was the only one listed in the Guinness Book of Records. In a few hours, LoveLetter has hit millions of PCs around the world. The victim received an email with the subject ILOVEYOU by e-mail. The virus was triggered when the VBS file LOVE-LETTER-FOR-YOU.TXT attached to the message was launched. At the same time, the virus sent itself to the addresses found in MS Outlook on the infected computer.

7. Ramen

In January 2001, a virus infected hundreds of Linux-based corporate systems in a few days. The worm is dangerous because it disrupts the operation of the http server by destroying the contents of index.html files, prohibiting anonymous ftp access to the server itself, removing restrictions on access through hosts.deny. Ramen destroyed the earlier myth that Linux viruses do not exist.

6. Cabir

This network worm was detected in 2004. The virus spread via Bluetooth and infected mobile phones running under Symbian OS. Cabir is the first of many viruses for mobile devices.

5. Kido

In 2009, Kido hit millions of computers using several penetration paths at once - via flash drives, selecting network passwords and holes in Windows MS08-067. To combat the virus, the Conficker Working Group was created, which included antivirus companies, Internet service providers, research organizations and regulatory authorities. We managed to find weapons only in 2012.

4. Wiper

This “Trojan” in 2012 caused a panic in Iran, destroying databases in dozens of organizations. The operation of the country's largest oil terminal was stopped for several days, data on all oil contracts were destroyed. The virus is written so professionally that after activation it leaves no traces by which to investigate the incident.

3. Flame

This worm was designed for cyber espionage. The program was discovered by Kaspersky Lab experts during an investigation into an incident to delete data on corporate computers in the Middle East. Flame is a huge package that includes software modules whose total size is almost 20 MB.

2. Win32 / Stuxnet

The virus detected in 2010 differs in that it infects not only user PCs, but also entire industrial automated systems. So, by the will of the creators of the virus, you can not only steal data, but also destroy complex electronic systems, for example, that control a nuclear reactor.

1. Regin

Symantec announced the discovery of this virus in November 2014. According to experts, years of work have been spent on creating the virus. Regin is targeted against telecommunication companies, as well as Internet providers in Russia, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Ireland. The virus is often compared to Stuxnet, but is recognized as a much more advanced product.

Watch the video: 10 Most Deadly Computer Viruses In History (June 2025).