A computer program that can copy itself and infect a computer without permission or knowledge of the user. A virus might corrupt or delete data on a computer, use e-mail programs to spread itself to other computers, or even erase everything on a hard disk. See malicious code.
Sources:
CNSSI 4009-2015
NIST SP 800-12 Rev. 1
under Virus
from
CNSSI 4009
A program that replicates itself by attaching to other programs or files, where it hides until activated.
Sources:
NIST SP 800-28 Version 2
under Virus
A hidden, self-replicating section of computer software, usually malicious logic, that propagates by infecting (i.e., inserting a copy of itself into and becoming part of) another program. A virus cannot run by itself; it requires that its host program be run to make the virus active.
Sources:
NIST SP 800-82r3
from
RFC 4949 - adapted