Which virus type combines the approaches of file infectors and boot record infectors and attempts to attack both the boot sector and the executable or program files?

Which virus type combines the approaches of file infectors and boot record infectors and attempts to attack both the boot sector and the executable or program files?

• A. File viruses
• B. Macro virus
• C. Multipartite virus
• D. Cluster viruses

Answer: (C)

Multipartite viruses spread by infecting both the boot sector and executable files, combining techniques from boot record infectors and file infectors. This means they can propagate when the system boots (by altering the boot sector) and also when programs are run (by inserting themselves into executables). The dual approach makes them robust against vectors being blocked or cleaned, since both the boot area and the files must be inspected and cleaned to fully remove the infection. Other types tend to focus on a single vector. File viruses infect executable files only, macro viruses target document macros rather than system areas, and cluster viruses typically infect data clusters within files rather than the boot sector.

Multipartite viruses spread by infecting both the boot sector and executable files, combining techniques from boot record infectors and file infectors. This means they can propagate when the system boots (by altering the boot sector) and also when programs are run (by inserting themselves into executables). The dual approach makes them robust against vectors being blocked or cleaned, since both the boot area and the files must be inspected and cleaned to fully remove the infection.

Other types tend to focus on a single vector. File viruses infect executable files only, macro viruses target document macros rather than system areas, and cluster viruses typically infect data clusters within files rather than the boot sector.