Is a computer virus alive?

There are similarities b/n a computer virus and human virus. A computer virus can spread from computer to computer, just as a flu, for instance, can spread from person to person. A computer virus can lie in a computer without being active, just as a person can have a virus and not be aware of it. A human virus is a string of coded information surrounded by proteins. A computer virus is also coded information, stored by electricity.


Thank you for your answers.


Source- A young person's guide to philosophy.

Is a computer virus alive?
It does imitate life quite well. But all life is made up of carbon. No carbon = no life.
Reply:Um, no.. yes there are similarities but no it is not alive!
Reply:No it isn't alive in the normal sense that the term alive is used. A computer virus is a code which has a malicious objective and is activated in the same way as other computer programs but initially without the operators knowledge.
Reply:yup
Reply:Uh no.
Reply:my pc can freeze like it's playing statue(kids game) and roll over and play dead like a dog. sounds warm-blooded to me...lol
Reply:yes
Reply:yes it is! u all think is not, that its some computer program but your wrong, your so wrong!!!





now go wash your hands and dont breath on anyone for ten days after logging off!
Reply:It'd have been better to see if someone else knew your answer before giving it out. And, then give them the 10 points.
Reply:you could be right.. but then people would throw in the "soul" argument into the mix...
Reply:No. It relies on a series of events to trigger the program.
Reply:no. it's just a program. itz like a flu cuz it uses the internet or memory chip or cd etc. to spread from one computer to another. the internet(e-mail or wutever) the momory chip and other is like the carrier.
Reply:A virus is not " alive ".
Reply:No.


Its a series of predetermined logic. Its not capable of doing anything outside of its scope. On its own, its not capable of change or adapting.
Reply:no a virus is just a computer program designed to screw up your computer
Reply:Technically, an organic virus isn't alive either, because it doesn't conform to the seven (i think it's seven) properties of life. But you're quite right, a virus is basically just a stack of DNA surrounded by some protein - just some information.