Who creates virus and Why?
All computer viruses are man-made, however, the intent behind creating them varies. Usually, the creator of a virus is referred to as ‘hacker’, however based on the purpose and intent behind the creation there are two distinct categories of hackers:
- Black Hat Hackers
- White Hat Hackers
Black Hat Hackers
These hackers engage in illegal activities and have malicious intent. They create and use computer viruses for personal gain, whether it's financial, disruptive, or to harm others. Black hat hackers are associated with criminal activities, unauthorized access, and theft of sensitive information.
The motivations behind creating computer viruses for black hat hackers can vary, but there are a few common purposes:
Disruption: Some viruses are created to cause chaos and disrupt computer systems, spreading rapidly and causing widespread damage or inconvenience.
Theft of Information: Certain viruses are designed to steal sensitive information like login credentials, credit card details, or personal data for illegal purposes such as identity theft or financial fraud.
Financial Gain: Malware creators develop viruses to gain financial benefits. Ransomware encrypts files and demands a ransom, while other viruses generate revenue through intrusive ads or redirecting web traffic.
Espionage and Cyber Warfare: Nation-states or state-sponsored groups may develop sophisticated viruses for espionage or cyber warfare, targeting organizations, governments, or critical infrastructure to gather intelligence or disrupt operations.
Botnets and DDoS Attacks: Some viruses create networks of infected computers called botnets. These machines can be remotely controlled for large-scale attacks, such as Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, which overwhelm systems with excessive traffic.
White Hat Hackers
Also known as ethical hackers or cybersecurity professionals, white hat hackers use their skills for positive purposes. They work to improve system security, identify vulnerabilities, and help protect individuals, organizations, and systems from cyber threats. White hat hackers often collaborate with businesses and governments to enhance security measures and prevent unauthorized access or data breaches.
The key difference between white hat and black hat hackers lies in their intent and the legality of their actions. While black hat hackers engage in malicious and illegal activities, white hat hackers operate within legal boundaries, focusing on security and protecting
However, regardless of the intentions behind their creation, computer viruses pose significant risks to individuals, businesses, and society as a whole. Implementing robust cybersecurity measures, including regular software updates, strong passwords, and reputable antivirus software, is crucial to defend against viruses and mitigate their impact.