computer virus

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computer virus (plural computer viruses or (proscribed) computer viri or (rare, chiefly non-native speakers’ English) computer vira)

2. (computing) A program which can covertly transmit itself between computers via networks (especially the Internet) or removable storage such as disks and USB drives, often causing damage to systems and data.

• Often used to clarify that a virus in the computing sense, rather than a virus in the biological sense, is being referred to.

• virus

• Trojan horse

• malware