What would happen if you opened something containing a malware or virus?

Question

there are lots on here at the moment i'm just wondering what would happen if you opened them what would happen?

Answer 1

you would most likely get the virus

Answer 2

It depends on the payload of the virus or malware.  Such software could silently infect your computer, and you wouldn't notice anything.  Others might let you know of its presence through slow computer performance, ads, or strange messages.

Read the article below for an introduction to malware and how to detect, prevent, and remove malware infections:

http://www.systrough.com/2008/01/protect...

Answer 3

Various things may happen if your PC became infected,

Keylogging - viruses can log your keystrokes potentially divulging passwords

They can send details of your email accounts to various nefarious individuals

They can Highjack your PC causing it to be the souce off spam without you being aware

They can may your PC unusable by lots of popups effectively preventing you using the internet

They can replace files on your PC causing it to crash

Do we need to go on?

Answer 4

It depends on what the malware or virus does,

A virus will slow your system down and sometimes, make some things not work,

Malware will try and cause damage to your operating system, like deleting important files in the windows folder and corrupt boot files.

If you have an antivirus thing running that should tell you if youve been infected, if you dont have any security then you wouldnt know until you get a security programme.

Answer 5

It would spread the virus on your computer, and your computer will be messed up unless u can get rid of them with a good antivirus programme

Answer 6

You are most likely to get a virus

Answer 7

Kerpow batman a virus would infect your computer

Answer 8

Each virus has its own different 'agenda'

The last I had was a worm which made my computer restart as soon as it had finished booting up. At the time I did not know this was a virus but thought  it was a fault with my computer. Years ago, I had one on my system which turned word into a space invaders game where you could shoot the letters away on your documents therefore deleting your document.

Other worms will hide for days weeks or years until a special occasion like the new year. Some will hide and steal information off your system. Others will steal your friends list and send an email off you to your friends containing the virus.

Some are funny, most are a pain, and some are dangerous.