Multipartite Virus - What it is, why cleanup is hard, and how to prevent it

Multipartite Virus

What it is

A multipartite virus is malware that attacks more than one place at once - for example the boot sector and your files. That dual foothold helps it spread faster and makes cleanups tricky, since removing one part can leave the other hiding.

How it works - quick tour

  • Two-in-one infection: latches onto startup code and regular files.

  • Multiple entry points: arrives via downloads, infected USBs, or email attachments.

  • Ping-pong spread: the boot part reinfects files and infected files reinfect the boot.

  • Persistence: survives reboots and can dodge basic cleanups.

What you may notice

  • Files won’t open or show unexpected changes.

  • System slows, crashes, or behaves oddly after startup.

  • Security tools flag infections that keep coming back after removal.

Prevent it

  • Keep OS and security tools updated and scan USBs automatically.

  • Disable auto-run for removable media.

  • Download software from official sources only.

  • Maintain offline backups so you can restore clean copies if needed.

    Glossary (A–Z)

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