How can a computer virus affect a system's functionality?

Correct option is C

The correct answer is (C) By causing software to malfunction or crash.

Explanation:

• A computer virus is a malicious software program that can disrupt or damage the normal functioning of a computer system. It can cause system instability, software crashes, or malfunctioning of programs, leading to significant performance degradation.

Information Booster:

• Virus Impact on Software: A virus typically targets software applications and operating system files, often causing them to malfunction or become corrupted. It may also disable security features, rendering the system vulnerable to further attacks.

• Types of Viruses:

  • File Infector Viruses: These viruses attach themselves to executable files and spread when the program is run.

  • Macro Viruses: These viruses exploit macro features in applications like Microsoft Word or Excel to spread when documents are opened.

  • Boot Sector Viruses: These viruses infect the boot sector of a computer, causing problems during the system startup.

  • Polymorphic Viruses: These viruses change their code to avoid detection, making them harder to identify by antivirus software.