What is the Real Cost of Computer Viruses？ [Infographic]

Experiencing a virus or spyware infection on your computer can be a significant irritation.幸运的是，很多时候问题易于解决，或者您的防病毒软件能够在问题恶化之前捕捉到它。不幸的是，如果您不是那么幸运，那么您可能就是过去两年中1600万美国人中拥有“严重”漏洞的那一部分。尽管您已经知道病毒和电脑蠕虫很烦人，但您可能不知道它们每年给美国家庭和职场带来的成本。今天，我们将深入探讨美国人花费在病毒防护和移除上的费用，以及这些漏洞真正在金钱、时间和劳动力上的损失。我们还将回顾历史上五个最昂贵的电脑漏洞，以及它们不仅对美国，而且对全球造成的财务影响。继续阅读，查看信息图！ Share This Graphic On Your Site Created by WebFXAnnually, US households collectively lose $4.5 billion due to viruses and spyware. This figure encompasses not only the expenditures on virus removal tools or professional computer cleanup and restoration but also the time spent addressing vulnerabilities and the additional hardware required due to severe infections.The average cost for virus removal at a retailer like Best Buy or Staples ranges from $99 to $149, illustrating how the cost of dealing with a virus can escalate rapidly.When it comes to workplace security, employers take no chances. US businesses allocate approximately $8 billion annually for virus protection on computers and network equipment, averaging over $500 per employee. Despite the best protection, the financial burden of viruses in the workplace is immense, with businesses spending around $55 billion yearly to address infected systems or acquire new security software.Should you remain unconvinced about the real cost of viruses, consider the following historical perspective on some of the most costly computer vulnerabilities of all time. Our research reveals that only one of these expensive vulnerabilities was a virus; the remaining four were computer worms, defined by Wikipedia as “a standalone malware computer program that replicates itself in order to spread to other computers.” Unlike viruses, which remain on your computer until removed, worms aim to use your computer as a “host” to infect others. The five most damaging worms and viruses were:

The MyDoom Worm in 2004, which resulted in $38 billion in damages by slowing global Internet access by 10%

The Sasser Worm in 2008, which grounded Delta Airlines and crashed millions of PCs, causing over $18 billion in damages

The “ILOVEYOU” Virus in 2000, which brought down the US government’s email servers (!) and led to $15 billion in damages

The Conficker Worm in 2008, which provided hackers with remote access to approximately 15 million computers, resulting in $9 billion in damages

The SQL Slammer Worm in 2003, which caused over $1 billion in damage when it disrupted phone and Internet services for 24 million people in South Korea

Since 2008, no virus, worm, or piece of spyware has been estimated to cause as much damage as these five vulnerabilities. However, new security flaws are discovered daily, suggesting it may be only a matter of time before we witness another MyDoom Worm or “ILOVEYOU” virus.To prevent infection by viruses, worms, or spyware, always keep these vital tips in mind:

Utilize virus protection at both home and in the workplace

Keep your computer up to date! Those Windows Updates are crucial for your security and safety, not merely an inconvenience

Avoid opening email attachments from unknown senders, even if you recognize the file type

Beware of websites that prompt you to install plugins, download files, or those offering “free” music or media

Trust your instincts! If you feel an email or website is risky, steer clear

Have you ever been affected by a particularly problematic or costly computer virus? What steps did you take to eliminate it? Or were you impacted by any of the five most expensive vulnerabilities depicted in our infographic?Feel free to share your experience in the comments below! Photo credit: Go Card USA (CC BY-SA 2.0)