The Birth of Viruses

As far back as the 1950s, computer scientists first discussed the possibility of software capable of replicating itself and spreading among computers. But, an actual software virus was not created until 1983, when a student at the University of California, Fred Cohen, wrote a doctoral dissertation on the subject.

Unlike the viruses that cause colds and disease in humans, computer viruses do not occur naturally--each one must be programmed. There are no beneficial viruses. Sometimes, they are written as a prank, perhaps to needle people by displaying a humorous message. In such cases, the virus is little more that a nuisance. However, when a virus does real damage, who knows the purpose behind it? Anger? Revenge? Intellecual challenge? Whatever the motivation, it is clear that people creating viruses do not have much respect for other people's hard work.