Ethical Hacking Essentials Practice Test

Which of the following is NOT a common characteristic of a virus?

1. Self-replication

2. Hiding from detection

3. Spreading through social media

4. Modifying or deleting files

The correct answer is: Spreading through social media

A virus is typically characterized by its ability to self-replicate, hide from detection, and often modify or delete files on an infected system. Self-replication allows a virus to duplicate itself and spread to other files or systems, which is a core function of how viruses propagate. Hiding from detection is also crucial for a virus, as this enables it to avoid antivirus software and other security measures, facilitating its persistence on the infected system. Lastly, many viruses are designed to modify or delete files, which can lead to data loss and program corruption. In contrast, spreading through social media is not a characteristic inherent to viruses themselves. While malware can be disseminated via social media platforms, this method of propagation is more commonly associated with worms or other forms of malware that exploit network connections rather than a defining trait of a virus. Therefore, the option related to social media does not align with the traditional characteristics of a virus, making it the correct answer.