Do viruses collect data?

Can viruses take your data?

A virus can damage programs, delete files and reformat or erase your hard drive, which results in reduced performance or even crashing your system entirely. Hackers can also use viruses to access your personal information to steal or destroy your data.

Can a virus steal personal information?

Nowadays, the criminals behind the infections usually want your computer operating in top form so you don't know something's wrong. That way, they can log your keystrokes and steal any passwords or credit-card numbers you enter at Web sites, or they can link your infected computer with others to send out spam.

What viruses steal information?

Data stealing malware is a web threat that divests victims of personal and proprietary information with the intent of monetizing stolen data through direct use or underground distribution. Content security threats that fall under this umbrella include keyloggers, screen scrapers, spyware, adware, backdoors, and bots.

Do viruses attach themselves to files?

A virus typically attaches itself to a program, file, or the boot sector of the hard drive. Once the virus attaches itself to that file or program (aka, the host), they're infected. When the infected application or file runs in the computer, the virus activates and executes in the system.