CIH stands for Computer Infection Hour, also known as Chernobyl virus, which is a highly destructive computer virus that emerged in June 1998. Named after the Chernobyl nuclear accident, the CIH virus garnered attention due to its ability to cause severe damage to infected systems, potentially rendering them inoperable.
CIH is a polymorphic virus that targets Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows ME operating systems. It spreads through infected files and typically infiltrates a system through email attachments, pirated software, or malicious websites. Once activated, the virus overwrites vital data on the hard drives, erasing the BIOS and corrupting critical system files. As a result, infected computers may become completely nonfunctional, requiring extensive repairs or even replacement of hardware components.
The CIH virus executes its payload on the 26th of every month, aptly named "Infection Hour." During this time, the virus deploys its destructive routines, damaging the computer's firmware or BIOS. This makes the system unable to start up and effectively destroys the infected machine.
Due to its destructive nature, the CIH virus caused significant damage to thousands of computers worldwide. It served as a pivotal moment in raising awareness about the importance of computer security and the need for robust antivirus software to protect against such threats.
