Which term describes computer code delivered as an e-mail attachment that, when activated, destroys specific files and propagates to the address book?

Which term describes computer code delivered as an e-mail attachment that, when activated, destroys specific files and propagates to the address book?

• A. E-mail virus
• B. Persistent virus
• C. Add-on viruses
• D. Anti-disassembly

Answer: (B)

An email virus is malware delivered as an email attachment that, when opened, executes and often damages specific files while automatically sending itself to contacts in the victim’s address book. This propagation method—using email to spread to others—defines the term, and the destructive payload matches the “destroy specific files” part of the description. Persistence (the idea of staying active after reboot) is a separate trait and isn’t what’s being tested here; it doesn’t define how the malware spreads via an address book. Other terms like add-on viruses or anti-disassembly aren’t standard ways to classify this behavior. So, the best fit is an email virus.

An email virus is malware delivered as an email attachment that, when opened, executes and often damages specific files while automatically sending itself to contacts in the victim’s address book. This propagation method—using email to spread to others—defines the term, and the destructive payload matches the “destroy specific files” part of the description. Persistence (the idea of staying active after reboot) is a separate trait and isn’t what’s being tested here; it doesn’t define how the malware spreads via an address book. Other terms like add-on viruses or anti-disassembly aren’t standard ways to classify this behavior. So, the best fit is an email virus.