Link virus

A link virus is a specific group of computer viruses . They are characterized by the fact that they attach to existing programs and are always started together with the infected program.

Link viruses usually add their own code to the end of a program and link the infected program's start routine with their own malicious code (hence the name link virus).

These viruses often allow the infected program to continue running when they are called, so that the infection is not noticed for as long as possible.

Common virus scanners should be able to recognize and remove the attached code positions of the link viruses in infected programs. Irreparable damage occurs when the infected program's code is replaced by the virus. Otherwise the code can simply be removed.

In order to successfully carry out an infection, the virus must also obtain write access to the program. A virus scanner should be able to detect and prevent attempted access.