A FAT virus is a computer virus that attacks the file allocation table (FAT), a system used in Microsoft products and other types of computer systems to access information stored on a computer. FAT acts as an index, keeping information about where hard drive materials are stored, which hard drive sectors are empty, etc. By attacking the file allocation table, a virus can cause very serious damage to a computer.
A Windows desktop PC can be seriously damaged by a FAT virus.
FAT viruses can work in several ways. Some are designed to embed themselves in files so that when FAT accesses the file, the virus is activated. Others can attack FAT directly. Many are designed to overwrite files or directories, and material on a computer can be permanently lost. If a FAT virus is powerful enough, it can render a computer useless and destroy data, forcing the user to format it.
A FAT virus makes it impossible for a computer to locate files.
Essentially, a FAT virus destroys the index, making it impossible for a computer to find files, and the virus can spread to files when FAT tries to access them, causing the corruption to eventually spread throughout the computer. FAT viruses often manifest themselves in the form of corrupted files, with users noticing that files are missing or inaccessible. The FAT architecture itself can also be changed; for example, a computer that should be using the FAT32 protocol may abruptly say that it is using FAT12.
A FAT virus attacks the data management system of a computer’s hard drive.
There are several ways to avoid FAT virus infection. Computer users should get into the habit of using strong anti-virus software that is regularly updated and should check their computers regularly for any signs of viruses. It’s also a good idea to avoid downloading material that doesn’t come from trusted sources, to avoid sites identified as “attack sites” by browsers and search engines, and to be careful when connecting external devices to a computer. A friend’s digital camera, for example, may contain a FAT virus, which will be transferred along with the images on the camera.
If a FAT virus persists, it may be necessary to hire a computer professional to repair the damage and recover the system. Removal tools are also available, with many antivirus programs providing removal as part of their suite of services. If a program does not have a removal tool, its website may provide references to removal tools, and sometimes operating system websites also host common virus removal tools.
A computer professional may be needed to repair the damage caused by a FAT virus.
