AIDS (MS-DOS) facts for kids
AIDS is a type of computer virus that attacks specific files on older computer systems. It mainly targets files ending with .COM and .EXE. These files are important because they help run programs and even the computer's operating system.
When a computer gets this virus, the AIDS virus quickly loads itself into the computer's computer memory. From there, it can infect other .COM or .EXE files every time they are opened or used. The virus damages the first 13,952 bytes of an infected program file. To get rid of the virus, these damaged files must be deleted and replaced with clean, uninfected copies.
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What is the AIDS Computer Virus?
The AIDS computer virus is a harmful program designed to spread from one computer to another. It was known for infecting computers running the MS-DOS operating system, which was common before modern versions of Windows. This virus is not related to the human health condition.
How Does the AIDS Virus Work?
The AIDS virus works by attaching itself to certain program files. When you run an infected program, the virus also runs and tries to find other programs to infect.
- Infecting Files: The virus looks for .COM and .EXE files. These are common types of files that launch software on older computers.
- Memory Loading: Once an infected program is run, the virus loads itself into the computer's temporary memory. This allows it to stay active and look for more files to infect.
- Damaging Files: The virus writes over the beginning part of the files it infects. This makes the original programs unusable and can lead to data loss.
What Happens When a Computer Gets Infected?
When a computer is infected with the AIDS virus, you might notice some clear signs.
- Startup Message: When the computer starts, the virus displays a large message that covers about half of the screen.
- System Halt: After showing the message, the computer system stops working completely. This means you can't use the computer until it's restarted, and even then, the virus might still be active.
- Data Loss: The virus permanently damages the parts of the files it overwrites. This means you cannot get back the original information from those corrupted files.
Other Names for the AIDS Virus
This virus is known by a few different names around the world.
- In Europe, it is often called the "Hahaha virus."
- The company IBM refers to it as the "Taunt virus."
How to Remove the AIDS Virus
Removing the AIDS virus involves replacing the damaged files.
- Delete Corrupted Files: Any file that has been infected by the virus needs to be removed from the computer.
- Use Backups: To restore your programs, you need to replace the deleted, corrupted files with clean copies from a backup. This is why having regular backups of your important files is always a good idea.
