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 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

The computer virus Stuxnet, which is widely believed to have been developed by the United States and Israel, was discovered in 2010 after it was used to attack a uranium enrichment facility in Iran.

From Reuters • Oct. 26, 2021

In 2012, the kingdom’s oil giant found itself hit by the so-called Shamoon computer virus, which deleted hard drives and then displayed a picture of a burning American flag on computer screens.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 21, 2021

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

From "Stormbreaker" by Anthony Horowitz