Introduction:
Human society has suffered enormous losses due to cyberattacks and viruses regularly introduced to computer networks. Network viruses are computer instructions that spread across networks like the internet or wireless communication networks. These viruses have the ability to corrupt data or disable device functions. Let us know ‘Can A Virus Spread Through A Network?
Can A Virus Spread Through A Network?
A virus can make your computer sick, made purposefully and maliciously implanted. It does not occur naturally, unlike the so-called viruses in Biology. Virus can spread through the network when an infected computer attacks other computers connected to the same network. A virus cannot spread without human assistance, by clicking on the innocent-looking link that contains the virus, you assisted the virus, but a worm can.
Virus:
Whether users are using a desktop, laptop, smartphone, or computer running Windows, or other operating systems, their devices are susceptible to ever-growing cyber threats. Any device can be infected with viruses or other types of malware. A virus is a term used for something that makes a computer get sick.
Malware:
A combination of the words malicious and software malware is any harmful computer program on a computer or mobile device. These programs are installed without the users’ permission and the purpose of these programs is to produce unpleasant side effects, such as slowing down computer performance, searching the user’s system for sensitive information, erasing data, or even taking over the control of devices.
Network viruses:
A network virus does not exist naturally; it is manufactured artificially and implanted maliciously. A network virus has the capacity to activate, self-replicate, spread without human interaction, and cause significant harm. The “beauty killer” malware was well-known for causing Internet paralysis.
Wireless sensor networks are also at risk from network viruses. Due to the limitations placed on wireless sensor networks like energy, space, channel bandwidth, and others are susceptible to viral attack. The wireless sensor networks’ nodes also have a finite amount of power and resources. The loss of many nodes will cause the network to be disconnected. Wireless sensor networks are more susceptible to the threat of viruses than wired networks.
According to certain studies, worms, and other viruses can increase their communication via web pages, emails, Bluetooth, WIFI, and other channels by exploiting communication.
Virus attacking router:
Viruses can get into the router by bypassing the router’s login or its firmware. Routers with outdated firmware or having default passwords are more vulnerable.
Modem acquiring viruses:
Even though modems are more secure than wi-fi routers but they still can get infected. A modem can infect with a virus through the internet directly, from connected devices, or other sources.
Others ways of spreading of virus through the network:
A virus is a piece of malicious code that can infect devices and attach itself to other files on the infected system. Each virus needs a host like an email, a file, a music download, a website, or an application to spread to the intended target. A virus cannot infect a gadget without user input, this means to activate the virus the user must click on the infected link.
Emails:
Spreading viruses through email is a very common tool to acquire sensitive data. Criminals copy legitimate emails from well-known companies, this internet fraud is called phishing. Victims of phishing scams are unaware of their victimization since the emails they receive appear too real and identical to the original files. Users after clicking on an email attachment, have already given the cybercriminals access to their data without their knowledge.
Computers won’t become infected only by receiving spam emails. Simply designate these as junk or spam and make sure they are removed.
Through webpages:
Viruses can spread through links to malicious websites. Viruses are buried in the HTML of the webpage. Infection is triggered when the infected webpage loads up. Downloads and individual file transfer protocol files can also be the source of a problem. If not stopped, the virus may spread to the server and affect all outgoing FTP transmissions.
Harmful websites:
Malicious websites are sites that appear harmless but have the potential to destroy the computer security system. Cybercriminals use malicious websites similar to that phishing emails. Cybercriminals copy websites from well-known companies and make them seem original. Malicious websites can disable a computer’s security measures and extract all the required data. Internet users should use only reputable websites online.
Files carrying viruses:
Users’ information can be stolen with the help of documents laced with malware. The source of these infected files could be a malicious website. Infected files target the codes in a copy and reorganize them to perform tasks that users do not expect them to. To keep data safe and secure, it is recommended to everyone who has a personal computer must regularly update their antivirus software.
Downloading shady apps:
It is better to download apps from reliable sources. A virus can infect your devices like mobiles, laptops, or others through applications.
Socially shareable content:
Viruses can also attack by disguising themselves as attachments of socially shared media content including funny photos, and audio and video files.
External storage devices:
Peripheral devices are among the most popular and simple ways for malware to infiltrate a vulnerable computer. The viruses in flash drives and other computer accessories can remain undetected until the victim has already divulged all of their information by plugging in external storage devices carrying malware.
Viruses spreading through Messaging services:
Viruses that spread through Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, or other social media platforms take the form of malicious links or attachments.
Viruses spreading through malvertising:
Viruses can also spread through online advertisements. Perpetrators can hide malicious code on legitimate websites.
How to know the device and router got infected with the malware?
Devices show excessive pop-ups:
There will be a potential increase in pop-up advertisements. Users might see unexpectedly new windows or redirect to a different website than the one requested.
Your device runs slowly:
The performance of the device becomes slow and takes more time to start up. Malware can take up the memory of your device causing the device to run slowly. Another way to make device functionality slow is viruses cause many programs to run simultaneously.
Devices experience frequent crashes:
When the user’s device, for example, the computer is infected with viruses it experiences frequent crashes. Some malware is designed to cause chaos on your computer. This chaos manifests as blue screens. Your device will show error messages excessively.
Affect of malware on internet speed and password:
The attack of viruses on routers can reduce the speed of the internet and passwords do not work. There are different types of malware designed for different purposes. Spyware is a type of malware that is designed to take the information. They do so by utilizing bandwidth. Spyware and worms reduce internet speed. The internet speed can also be reduced by turning your device into a bot or slave computer. The controller can send hundreds of requests to other computers thus reducing the internet speed.
Devices not responding: When the device becomes infected it behaves erratically and does not respond to the clicks of its user.
Loss of data: Users will observe that some of their files or data have gone missing after a virus attack.
Reduction in memory: The virus will take up memory and there will be a reduction in the storage on the device.
Digital Extortion: A form of virus known as ransomware encrypts important files of the device owner and then demands payment in exchange for the decryption key needed to unlock them.
Data usage: Data usage increases if a large number of data is exported from the device.
Undesired programs installation: There is another virus called Trojan Horse that can make an infected device download additional programs along with the desired program.
Sending infected emails: Cybercrooks can use someone else computer to send emails with infected links to other people. These emails appear to be from the account owner and will contain links that, when opened, distribute malware to the receiving device.
Noisy and overheated device: Numerous processes going on in the computer result in an overworked system. The infected device will make excessive noise even in its idle state, this shows that an excessive amount of malicious activity is going on without the user’s knowledge.
Removing viruses from your device: It is better to disconnect your device from the network in this way it will be isolated and won’t be able to spread viruses to other computers. It will also prevent further loss of data. Enter the computer in safe mode and delete all temporary files. Scan your device for viruses using antivirus software. Users can reinstall the operating system.
Conclusion:
A Wi-Fi network can be a useful tool for anybody, making it much easier to install new technology and giving the flexibility to work wherever in the world. Poorly secured Wi-Fi networks can be an easy target for hackers and their malware. Virus can jump between adjacent network to discover new victims and spread from computer to computer using Wi-Fi. To protect devices from virus attacks it is better to update anti-virus software regularly.
Frequently asked questions:
How do router viruses control a network?
Cybercriminals can control a network with various techniques, by changing the Domain Name System setting of the router, luring you to click the infected link, removing the website’s Secure Socket Layer, and others.
How can I remove a virus from a router?
First reboot your router, install the latest firmware, try a factory reset, and get real-time antivirus software to monitor your router.
