A computer virus is a computer program that can replicate itself and spread from one computer to another. The term "virus" is also used to refer to other types of malware, including adware and spyware programs that do not have a reproductive ability. A comptuer virus is not to be confused with Malware. Any virus that makes unauthorised changes to a computer, if any damage is done or intended and those that do nothing but reproduce is considered a Computer Virus. Computer Viruses are created to take control of a computer and use it for specific tasks. For example: To generate money, to steal sensitive information (credit card numbers, passwords, personal details, data etc), to prove a point, to prove it can be done, to prove ones skill or for revenge purposes and to cripple a computer or network. The first computer virus was called "Creeper" and was written by Bob Thomas in 1971. The virus would display the message, "I'm a creeper, catch me if you can!" and messed with people's printers. Computer Viruses number one targets are consumers like you and me.