Slang

virus

This page is about the slang term virus

Meaning

a harmful computer program that can spread from one machine to another

For example

  • Most viruses are spread when sent as email attachments, and they're activated when the recipient clicks on the program's icon.

  • If you want to avoid the hassle of dealing with computer viruses, get a Mac computer. Very few viruses target Macs.

Origin: These programs are called viruses because they act in ways very similar to biological viruses, in that they damage the host and they can spread from host to host.

Quick Quiz

If a virus attacks a computer, a good strategy is to

a. take it to a hospital

b. throw the computer away

c. do a system restore or OS reinstallation
a) take it to a hospital b) throw the computer away c) do a system restore or OS reinstallation

See Slang of the Day today

Contributor: Matt Errey