The most dangerous computer viruses in history

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, spoilage and theft of information.

Annually appear more sophisticated viruses, and high-speed Internet allows them to spread with great speed. Today's top ten included the most dangerous computer viruses in their entire history.

10.Brain

This was the world's first virus, designed for IBM-compatible computers, which caused a global epidemic in 1986.It was written by two Pakistani programmers and pretty soon went beyond Pakistan.

9. Win95.CIH

The virus was discovered in 1998.It contained a logical bomb, designed to damage the contents of the BIOS and destroy information on hard disks. The program was always activated on April 26 - the day of the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. Win95.CIH became the first virus that corrupts not only programs, but also computer hardware.

8. LoveLetter

This virus appeared in 2000 and was the only one entered in the Guinness Book of Records. Within a few hours, LoveLetter has hit millions of PCs around the world. By e-mail, the victim received a letter with the subject ILOVEYOU.The virus worked in case of launching the vbs-file LOVE-LETTER-FOR-YOU.TXT attached to the letter. At the same time, the virus itself sent itself to the addresses found in MS Outlook on the infected computer.

7. Ramen

In January 2001, the virus in a few days hit hundreds of corporate systems based on Linux. The worm is dangerous because it disrupts the operation of the http server by destroying the contents of index.html files, prohibiting anonymous ftp access to the server itself, removing restrictions for access through hosts.deny. Ramen destroyed the myth that there was no virus on Linux.

6. Cabir

This network worm was detected in 2004.The virus was distributed via Bluetooth and infected mobile phones that were running Symbian OS.Cabir was the first of many viruses for mobile devices.

5. Kido

In 2009, Kido hit millions of computers, using several ways at once - through flash drives, the selection of network passwords and "holes" in Windows MS08-067.To fight the virus was created Conficker Working Group, which included antivirus companies, Internet providers, research organizations and regulatory bodies. The weapon was found only in 2012.

4. Wiper

This "Trojan" in 2012 caused a panic in Iran, destroying databases in dozens of organizations. For several days, the work of the country's largest oil terminal was stopped, data on all oil contracts were destroyed. The virus is written so professionally that after activation it leaves no traces on which it is possible to investigate the incident.

3. Flame

This worm was developed for cyber espionage. The program was discovered by Kaspersky Lab specialists when investigating an incident to remove data on corporate computers in the Middle East. Flame - a huge package that includes software modules, the total size of which is almost 20 MB.

2. Win32 / Stuxnet

The virus detected in 2010 differs in that it infects not only the user PCs, but also entire industrial automation systems. So, at the behest of the creators of the virus, you can not only steal data, but also destroy complex electronic systems, for example, managers of a nuclear reactor.

1. Regin

About the detection of this virus, Symantec said in November 2014.According to experts, the creation of the virus was spent years of work. 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 that it is a much more perfect product.