when was the first computer virus created

The first widely recognized computer virus, called Creeper , was created in 1971.

When Was the First Computer Virus Created?

Quick Scoop

The earliest program widely regarded as the first computer virus is Creeper , written in 1971 by Bob Thomas at BBN.

It ran on ARPANET-connected DEC PDP-10 machines using the TENEX operating system.

Creeper was more of an experiment than an attack: it moved between machines and displayed the message: "I'M THE CREEPER. CATCH ME IF YOU CAN!"

So, if you’re asking “when was the first computer virus created?” — the best-supported answer is: 1971.

Mini timeline: how “first virus” is defined

The exact “first” can depend on what you count as a virus:

Theoretical origin (1949)
- Mathematician John von Neumann described how a program could reproduce itself in his work on self-reproducing automata in 1949.

 * This is considered the **theoretical** birth of virus concepts, not an actual virus in the wild.

First experimental network virus – Creeper (1971)
- Created by Bob Thomas at BBN as an experiment on ARPANET.

 * It copied itself from one computer to another and showed the taunting message “I'M THE CREEPER. CATCH ME IF YOU CAN!”.

 * A counter-program called **Reaper** was later written just to remove Creeper — arguably the first antivirus.

First personal computer virus in the wild – Elk Cloner (1982)
- Elk Cloner infected Apple II systems and spread via floppy disks.

 * It’s considered the first virus to spread **widely among personal computers** , outside controlled labs.

First widespread PC boot-sector virus – Brain (1986)
- Brain , created by two brothers in Pakistan, infected floppy disk boot sectors on IBM PC–compatible systems.

 * Often cited as the first **IBM PC virus** and an early **stealth virus**.

Forum-style view: why there’s debate

User A: “The first virus was Creeper in 1971.”
User B: “Actually, von Neumann described self-replicating code in 1949, so that’s the real origin.”
User C: “Most home users only started seeing viruses with Elk Cloner and Brain in the 1980s.”

All three angles have some truth:

If you mean theory → 1949 (von Neumann, concept only).

If you mean first working self-replicating program on a network → 1971, Creeper.

If you mean first virus ordinary users encountered on personal machines → early 1980s (Elk Cloner) and mid‑1980s (Brain).

But in modern discussions, “first computer virus” almost always refers to Creeper (1971).

Quick facts table (HTML)

Below is an HTML table you can plug into a post:

html

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>Milestone</th>
      <th>Year</th>
      <th>Name / Person</th>
      <th>Why It Matters</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>Theoretical virus concept</td>
      <td>1949</td>
      <td>John von Neumann</td>
      <td>Described self-reproducing programs, laying the theoretical groundwork for computer viruses. [web:5]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>First recognized computer virus program</td>
      <td>1971</td>
      <td>Creeper</td>
      <td>Experimental self-replicating program on ARPANET, widely regarded as the first computer virus. [web:2][web:5][web:7][web:8]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>First personal computer virus in the wild</td>
      <td>1982</td>
      <td>Elk Cloner</td>
      <td>Spread via Apple II floppy disks, considered the first widespread PC virus outside labs. [web:3][web:5]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>First IBM PC boot-sector virus</td>
      <td>1986</td>
      <td>Brain</td>
      <td>Early boot-sector and stealth virus targeting floppy disks on IBM PCs. [web:7]</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

TL;DR

When was the first computer virus created?
→ 1971 , with the Creeper program on ARPANET.

Bottom note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.

when was the first computer virus created