# PC Virus Encyclopedia

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-virus-encyclopedia/919466>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [August 31, 2020, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-virus-encyclopedia/919466 "2020-08-31T17:59:59Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Ptolomy57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Ptolomy57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ptolomy57)\
**Post date:** [August 31, 2020, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-virus-encyclopedia/919466/1 "2020-08-31T17:59:59Z")

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For those who work in the computer world: Is there some free website that is a dictionary or an encyclopedia providing a list and facts about various viruses, trojans, malware, etc.? Thanks.

Admin: If you feel this question calls for more of an opinion than a factual answer, although I see it as seeking facts, feel free to bump to the Opinion forum, if you must.

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**Author:** ![Ptolomy57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Ptolomy57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ptolomy57)\
**Post date:** [August 31, 2020, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-virus-encyclopedia/919466/2 "2020-08-31T18:09:51Z")

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I should have stated that a recognized name like “Norton” or “McAfee” would be preferred - a site I can trust in such matters. Untrusted sites may just spread such trouble - appearing innocuous. Thanks for the help.

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**Author:** ![GreenWyvern](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/greenwyvern/32/2834_2.png) [@GreenWyvern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenWyvern)\
**Post date:** [August 31, 2020, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-virus-encyclopedia/919466/3 "2020-08-31T18:26:30Z")

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Trend Micro has a [good virus encyclopedia](https://www.trendmicro.com/vinfo/us/threat-encyclopedia/malware).

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**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\
**Post date:** [September 3, 2020, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-virus-encyclopedia/919466/4 "2020-09-03T02:32:53Z")

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And if you want to go one level deeper, there’s a semi-official list of the software bugs & vulnerabilities that make viruses, malware, etc. possible: [NVD - Categories](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/categories)

Or a more usable list:

> **[CVE security vulnerability database. Security vulnerabilities, exploits,...](https://www.cvedetails.com/)**
>
> CVEdetails.com is a free CVE security vulnerability database/information source. You can view CVE vulnerability details, exploits, references, metasploit modules, full list of vulnerable products and cvss score reports and vulnerability trends over...

CVE is the standard way that most vendors use to report and track security flaws. It’s partially funded by the Department of Homeland Security. Many viruses will have a CVE code attached to them that you can look up to see the vulnerabilities they exploit.