Question:

What could have caused a strange computer virus that affected my screen, sound, and icons when I was a child?

I experienced a very unusual and frightening computer virus when I was about 10 years old (I am 22 now). It happened late at night when I was browsing the internet on my computer. My screen turned red, the windows closed by themselves, the icons fell down and disappeared, and a loud noise came out of my headphones. My monitor also showed some glitchy and creepy images. I ran to my grandpa, who turned off the computer and told me not to worry. I was too scared to use the computer for a week, but after that, everything was normal and it never happened again. I have never seen anything like this before or since. I wonder what could have caused this virus and if anyone else has ever encountered something similar.

Answer:

Computer viruses are malicious programs that can infect and damage your computer system, files, or data. They can also cause various symptoms, such as slowing down your computer, displaying unwanted pop-ups, deleting or encrypting your files, or stealing your personal information. However, some computer viruses can also cause more unusual and frightening effects, such as changing your screen color, making your icons fall, or playing loud noises. These effects are usually designed to scare or prank the user, rather than to harm the computer itself.

One possible explanation for the strange computer virus that you experienced when you were a child is that you visited a malicious website that triggered a script or a program that altered your screen, sound, and icons. This could have been a form of scareware, which is a type of malware that tries to scare the user into taking some action, such as calling a fake tech support number, downloading a fake antivirus program, or paying a ransom. Scareware often uses fake alerts, warnings, or error messages to trick the user into believing that their computer is infected or compromised.

Another possible explanation is that you downloaded or opened a file that contained a virus that modified your screen, sound, and icons. This could have been a form of joke virus, which is a type of malware that tries to amuse or annoy the user by displaying humorous or irritating effects. Joke viruses are usually harmless and do not damage the computer, but they can still be annoying or scary for the user. Some examples of joke viruses are the You Are An Idiot virus, the Bonzi Buddy virus, or the MEMZ virus.

A third possible explanation is that someone else, such as a friend, a family member, or a prankster, accessed your computer and changed your screen, sound, and icons manually or with a program. This could have been a form of prank or mischief, which is not technically a virus, but still a way of altering your computer settings or appearance. Pranks or mischief can be done for fun, revenge, or curiosity, and they can range from harmless to harmful, depending on the intention and the effect.

Regardless of the cause, the strange computer virus that you encountered when you were a child was most likely not a serious threat to your computer or your data. However, it was still a scary and unpleasant experience that you remember to this day. To prevent such incidents from happening again, you should always be careful about the websites you visit, the files you download or open, and the people who have access to your computer. You should also use a reliable antivirus program and keep it updated regularly. By doing so, you can protect your computer from viruses and malware, and enjoy a safe and smooth computing experience.