Computer viruses are called viruses because they
share some of the traits of biological viruses.
A computer virus passes from computer to
computer like a biological virus passes from
person to person.
There are similarities at a deeper level, as
well. A biological virus is not a living thing.
A virus is a fragment of DNA inside a protective
jacket. Unlike a cell, a virus has no way to do
anything or to reproduce by itself -- it is not
alive. Instead, a biological virus must inject
its DNA into a cell. The viral DNA then uses the
cell's existing machinery to reproduce itself.
In some cases, the cell fills with new viral
particles until it bursts, releasing the virus.
In other cases, the new virus particles bud off
the cell one at a time, and the cell remains
alive.
A computer virus shares some of these traits. A
computer virus must piggyback on top of some
other program or document in order to get
executed. Once it is running, it is then able to
infect other programs or documents. Obviously,
the analogy between computer and biological
viruses stretches things a bit, but there are
enough similarities that the name sticks.
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