Defined term

Virus

Virus: A malicious computer program that may replicate itself on a computer network, insert or attach copies of itself into computer programs, and cause harm…

Verified
🏆 High Consensus
Cybersecurity

Definition

A malicious computer program that may replicate itself on a computer network, insert or attach copies of itself into computer programs, and cause harm to computers or systems by corrupting, stealing, or modifying data or access.

Alternative Definitions

Definition 2

A computer program that can copy itself and infect a computer without permission or knowledge of the user. A virus might corrupt or delete data on a computer, use e-mail programs to spread itself to other computers, or even erase everything on a hard disk. See malicious code.

Source: Committee on National Security Systems Glossary CNSSI 4009-2015Type: standard
Definition 3

Code that runs on a computer without the user’s knowledge, infecting the computer when the code is accessed and executed. It spreads via interaction.

Source: March 2020 CSC ReportType: external
Definition 4

A malicious computer program that may replicate itself on in a computer network, insert or attach copies of itself into computer programs, and cause harm to computers or systems by corrupting, stealing or modifying data or access. Voting system components connected to a network risk malware infections, such as viruses.

Source: EAC IT Glossary for Election OfficialsType: external
Definition 5

A computer program that can replicate itself, infect a computer without permission or knowledge of the user, and then spread or propagate to another computer.

Source: NICCS GlossaryType: standard
Definition 6

Viruses are malicious computer programs that can spread to other les. (UK 2016)

Source: The Cyber GlossaryType: external
Definition 7

A form of malicious software that “infects” a host computer in the sense that it is able to exist, replicate itself, and distribute itself from that host.

Source: Electronic Voting GlossaryType: external

Sources

1
Glossary of Election Terms, U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC)
View Source
2
Committee on National Security Systems Glossary CNSSI 4009-2015
View Source
3
March 2020 CSC Report
View Source
4
EAC Glossary of Terms
View Source
5
EAC IT Glossary for Election Officials
View Source
6
EAC Information Technology Terminology
View Source
7
EAC Glossary of Election Terms
View Source
8
NICCS Glossary
View Source
9
The Cyber Glossary
View Source
10
Electronic Voting Glossary
View Source

Continue Research

Browse the full glossary for adjacent terms, or subscribe for updates when definitions and sources are expanded.