BOOTSECTOR VIRUSES

A boot sector virus is malware that infects the computer storage sector where startup files are found. The boot sector contains all the files required to start the operating system (OS) and other bootable programs.


What is a boot sector?

A boot sector is a physical sector, or section, on a hard drive that includes information about how to start the boot process in order to load an operating system. It stores boot record data that gives instructions to a computer when it is started, there are two types of boot systems Master boot record and Volume boot record for a partitioned disk, the boot sector consists of a master boot record. A non-partitioned disk consists of a volume boot record. The boot sector usually has boot sequence info, such as a list of disk partitions, startup program location or operating system (OS). When a computer is started, the data in the boot sector is loaded into the computer memory. Since it contains the main informations for booting a pc if a virus takes over the boot sector it takes the Computer from the "heart"


How does it work?

Boot sector viruses can be the most privileged and damaging type of Viruses. Because boot sector viruses affect the location where the computer stores essential start up files, they can make a computer unbootable. Boot sector viruses are frequently spread through physical media such as USB drives. once you connect an infected media to the computer it will transfer when the drive’s code is read, then modify or replace the existing boot code. The next time someone tries to boot their desktop, the virus will be loaded and run immediately as part of the master boot. It’s also possible for email attachments and spam pop-upsto contain boot viruses. If opened, these attachments infect the host computer and may contain instructions to send out further emails to others trough the infected computers contact list to spread the virus even more.

Bootsector

Filippo Baracca

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