Why do computer viruses exist?

Because some people are stupid! They prefer spending their time causing trouble to as many people as possible.

They will probably always exist but would be much more limited if there was more effort put to identify the virus writers and prosecute them. But that is near impossible now since most sites with illegal content are hosted in countries where the government doesn't verify those things or make profit out of it.

If they could at least make a constructive virus. :) One that once you catch it, your computer goes twice as fast and everything works well. You'd call your best friend and tell her ''I caught this amazing virus which boosted my computer, you should try to catch it too''. lol

Why do computer viruses exist?triumph

Two key reasons:

a) Some a**holes simply take pleasure in creating missery for others.

b) MONEY - either by way of closing down a company's network, extortion (pay up or I'll shut you down)

Then of course there are the many forms of spyware/malware, almost all of which a designed with financial gains as the incentive - ie, by gathering sensitive info can either access bank account, use info for extorsion, etc.

Oh, and then there are the ''prof of concept'' viruses. Theses are usually harmless, and are simply a hacker's way of say ''look what I can do'' - the show-off basically