Just as technology continues to evolve, so do the computer viruses that ill-doers create. This article is going to take a look back at some of the most harmful computer viruses 2018 has seen, as well as an explanation as to why these particular viruses are so dangerous.

Technology is growing at a rapid pace. Unfortunately, computer viruses are developing as well.

Ill-doers are creating new ways of breaking into your computer. With everything moving into the digital realm, you should be aware of what viruses are out there and how you can protect yourself.

Here’s a quick list of some of the most dangerous viruses of 2018 (so far).

1. ILOVEYOU

The ILOVEYOU virus terrorized users globally. It started in the Philippines in 2000. Two Filipino hackers created this. Large amount of users and corporations lost control of their systems. The virus sends an email named “LOVE-LETTER-FOR-YOU.TEXT.vbs”. Once opened, it would cause your computer to crash. Then it would send out the same email to the first 50 emails on your list.

The virus caused a total of 10% of the world’s PCs to break. The cost breakdown of this was $10B across the internet. If you want hard-hitting viruses, this one’s a big one.

2. Kovter

Kovter is a Trojan that’s gaining notoriety in 2018. A Trojan is a type of virus that hides malware in a normal file. Each Trojan has a different a function, but they’re aimed at stealing information. Sometimes they can provide access to your system, or they’ll be able to watch your actions.

Kovter was a click fraud malware and a ransomware downloader. It spread through malware email attachments that had office macros. It was effective due to it hiding in registry files and it being fileless. If you ever receive an email with attachments from someone you don’t know, don’t open it!

3. Emotet

Emotet was a malware that focused on banking operations. It would inject computer code into a network and steal financial information. The Emotet malware would also steal other types of data and perform DDoS attacks. It was first spotted in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland in 2014.

Emotet is also a type of trojan malware. The first reports show that Emotet spread through malicious documents or URL links. In the US, Emotet injected itself through malicious JavaScript files. Once executed, it would insert itself into the host system. Emotet is a dangerous and potent virus.

4. WannaCry

This ransomware virus started in 2017. It was a worldwide cyberattack that targeted Microsoft operating systems. It would encrypt data and demand ransom payments through Bitcoin.

While the attack was short-lived, it still managed to affect over 300,000 computers. The damages ranged from hundreds of millions to billions of dollars. According to experts, it’s believed that the attack originated from North Korea.

5. Mirai

Mirai is a malware that targeted Linux systems. It would turn networked devices into “bots” that were part of large network attacks.

They focused on online consumer devices, such as IP cameras and home routers. It was first found in 2016 and now, there are at least 13 versions of the Mirai malware.

Are You Protected From Computer Viruses?

Having seen this short list of some of the deadliest computer viruses in 2018, are you protected? Do you know what to do to prevent a virus from affecting your systems? Do you know how to get rid of them?

If not, you need to hire an IT agency to handle it for you. Professionals will be able to keep this from happening.

Reach out to us to learn more about how our services can save your systems.