What can be an effect of a virus on a computer system?

A virus can have a variety of harmful effects on a computer system, and data wiping is one of the more destructive actions a virus can undertake. When a virus wipes data, it deletes or corrupts files, which can lead to significant data loss and potential recovery challenges. This action can compromise the integrity of important information, render applications inoperable, and disrupt overall system functionality.

In the context of cyber threats, data wiping is often targeted at sensitive or critical data, making the virus particularly dangerous for users and organizations that rely on their data for operations or compliance. This behavior aligns with the malicious intent of most viruses, which aim to cause damage or disrupt normal computer operations.

Other options, like file encryption, may also be an effect of a different type of malware, such as ransomware, but they do not necessarily represent the general behavior of all viruses. System optimization and user interface enhancement are typically associated with legitimate software functions and are not characteristics of viruses, which aim to harm rather than improve system performance or usability.