computer virus

American  

noun

1. virus.

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computer virus Cultural  

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.

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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.

Etymology

Origin of computer virus

First recorded in 1985–90

Example Sentences

Before that, US and Israeli cyber sleuths were able to insert a devastating computer virus, codenamed Stuxnet, into Iran's centrifuges, which caused them to spin out of control.

From BBC • Jun. 13, 2025

The Stuxnet computer virus in the late 2000s also attacked control units for uranium centrifuges, causing the sensitive devices to spin out of control and destroy themselves.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 31, 2023

The scam began with a pop-up alert about a computer virus and instructions to call a number to get the problem resolved.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 24, 2023

When a computer virus paralyzed machinery at his employer, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Mr. Lee pulled a 48-hour shift to help fix the problem.

From New York Times • May 11, 2023

A computer virus was the perfect piece of sabotage: invisible and instantaneous.

From "Stormbreaker" by Anthony Horowitz