if all kinds of hardware can be infected, please specify the kind of hardware and it's performance after it is being infected.
2007-10-17 13:50:56 · 17 answers · asked by nitz 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Other - Hardware
Nitz if your scared that you have a virus install a virus scanner like Nortan, or McAfee, or Trend Micro PC-cillion. i have all three and they will all alert me at the same time if i have one, ive only ever gottin one and Nortan destroyed it within seconds of the three popups! very nice huh? anyway if you have a virus it can infect any hardware and software heck evan your monitor... no, nevermind forget the monitor. but dont worry about asking a question just download Norton or any of the other three up there!!! good luck and get rid of that bugger!!!!
2007-10-17 13:57:37 · answer #1 · answered by Cory 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you don't know about computers, then don't answer a computer-related question.
A virus is a program that nestles itself into your computer. It is a piece of software, albeit one that is not easily removable. A virus can do things like wipe data off of your hard drive, invite more viruses, and generally corrupt the system.
The only way that a virus could affect your hardware would be if it deliberately ran it at it's limit until the hardware dies. A virus cannot physically do anything more than control (simple) mechanical functions of your hardware.
However, you still need to get it out! You can use free software such as ClamWin (www.clamwin.com) to find and delete most viruses. If you have a more serious problem (or would like extra re-assurance) you can but many commercial products online.
You should install antivirus software even if you don't have a virus, because you might not be able to once you do!
2007-10-17 14:16:14 · answer #2 · answered by Ismael 1 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Hmmm, you are using a presumption that is not necessarily true. Not "all" kinds of hardware can be infected. Only hardware that has an active and available memory can be infected with a computer virus.
Thus most hardware can be virus purged by simply turning off the computer and unplugging the power link for the relevant piece.
Your hard drive however is a different issue. Every time it starts up it runs a set of instructions (called the operating system and boot up procedure). If a virus can insert itself into that then every time you start up you are activating a copy of the virus. If a regular anti-virus program cannot detect and remove a virus you might have, it would be best to backup all your personal files, and re-partition & re-format your hard drive, then re-install your operating system.
As for most other hardware that gets a virus, it usually slows down, starts doing random things and then shuts down due to conflicting commands or too much activity for it to handle.
And yes if a virus were to mess with the heat detection of your motherboard your system could fry itself if it thought it was never heating up...
2007-10-17 14:00:41 · answer #3 · answered by Mr Unknowable 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2016-08-25 14:40:54 · answer #4 · answered by Priscila 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most of the answers have no idea about what a virus does. A virus cannot damage hardware in a point that you have to replace it,period. It can mess up the whole computer so it is not bootable anymore but after a format in the drive everything is GONE
2007-10-17 13:55:26 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
no, a virus messes with the software that runs the hardware. so if the software is fixed, the hardware can function just as well as it use to. to destroy hardware, viruses would have to be physical. the only way hardware can mess up is if u physically harm it like overheat, or hit it, or something like that.
if viruses could destroy hardware, everytime ur pc got a virus, u would have to buy a new pc. but in reality, technicians (people like geek squad or firedog) simply fix the virus by taking the virus out of the software.
2007-10-17 13:58:33 · answer #6 · answered by Vivek K 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
What To Do If Virus Destroys Hardware? -- https://reimagefix.im
2016-02-19 16:08:19 · answer #7 · answered by Sarah 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well yes a virus can destroy hardware. I had downloaded AIM on my computer. It gave me a virus and my computer started "attacking" its hard drive. So yes a virus can destroy hardware. The condition of my hardware after the virus attacked it was basically nothing. I had to get a new hard drive.
2007-10-17 13:55:45 · answer #8 · answered by froogle 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Unfortunately, all aspects of the computer can be affected by a virus; the software programs, the RAM, the ROM; disc drives; everything.
As to the performance after being infected, it depends upon the specific virus. It can be anything from the CD/ROM drive opening/closing to not working at all.
Do computer maintenance constantly (disk cleanup, virus scans, etc.; backups; you know, all those things they keep telling people to do, but don't forget to delete ALL cookies each and everytime you use the net. And stay away from any bad/ill-repute websites.
2007-10-17 14:02:36 · answer #9 · answered by Nothingusefullearnedinschool 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Viruses can't affect hardware very much. They only damage your software and what memory there is in your hard drive
They will kill your computer by overloading the BIOS and that will destroy your boot function
2007-10-17 13:53:28 · answer #10 · answered by Albert 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋