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.
More and more sophisticated viruses appear every year, and high-speed Internet allows them to spread at a tremendous speed. Today's top ten includes the most dangerous computer viruses throughout their history.
10. Brain
It was the world's first virus targeting IBM-compatible computers and caused a global epidemic in 1986. It was written by two Pakistani programmers and soon expanded outside of 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 - the day of the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. 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 included in the Guinness Book of Records. Within a few hours, LoveLetter hit millions of PCs around the world. The victim received an email with the subject line ILOVEYOU. The virus was triggered when the LOVE-LETTER-FOR-YOU.TXT vbs file attached to the letter 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, the virus infected hundreds of Linux-based corporate systems in a matter of days. The worm is dangerous in that it disrupts the operation of the http server by destroying the contents of index.html files, denying anonymous ftp access to the server itself, and lifting restrictions on access through hosts.deny. Ramen shattered the earlier myth that Linux viruses don't exist.
6. Cabir
This network worm was identified in 2004. The virus spread via Bluetooth and infected mobile phones running Symbian OS. Cabir was the first of many mobile viruses.
5. Kido
In 2009, Kido hit millions of computers using several penetration routes at once - through flash drives, brute-force network passwords and "holes" in Windows MS08-067. To fight the virus, the Conficker Working Group was formed, which included antivirus companies, Internet service providers, research organizations and regulators. It was only possible to find a weapon in 2012.
4. Wiper
This Trojan caused panic in Iran in 2012, destroying databases in dozens of organizations. The work of the country's largest oil terminal was suspended for several days, and data on all oil contracts was destroyed. The virus is written in such a professional manner that after activation it leaves no traces that can be used to investigate the incident.
3. Flame
This worm was developed for cyber espionage. The program was discovered by Kaspersky Lab specialists during an investigation into an incident involving deletion of data on corporate computers in the Middle East. Flame is a huge package of software modules, with a total size of almost 20 MB.
2. Win32 / Stuxnet
The virus, discovered in 2010, differs in that it infects not only user PCs, but also entire industrial automation systems. So, at 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 detection of this virus in November 2014.It took years of work to create the virus, experts say. Directed by Regin against telecommunications companies, as well as Internet providers in Russia, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Ireland. The virus is often compared to Stuxnet, but it is recognized as a much more advanced product.