So, I was thinking. What if someone could make a computer virus that metaphorically speaking acted biological, by means of natural selection? However, this would have no need of any sort of AI whatsoever, and thus the need of this thread (if it was an AI virus, there would surely be something of the like in a few years). Let me explain my theory a little better:

You could make a computer virus, and release thousands of them through the net. I have no idea how to do any of this, even as I program to a certain extent. The virus could be designed to pick up code from every other virus it encounters. This step in itself would be difficult, but not impossible, and certainly not classed as AI. Then, once it has gained that code, it would reproduce and spread even more thousands of viruses through the web. And thus continues the cycle; the virus keeps building itself up, and thousands and thousands are made. And this is where the metaphorical biology comes in. Natural selection (in a different sense) will see that the best viruses survive. Of course, all of the viruses might be destroyed, but that is unlikely.

So discuss, does this seem possible? Is this the future of viruses? Will such a theory work in pracice?

How would a computer virus reproduce on a static point? It's not like a virus can duplicate itself on a computer that's not connected to LAN as far as I dig your story. Which I hardly do since it's a bit odd.

that's the point, it wouldn't. There would be some that would though. Simply use a recursive program that calls itself, or copies itself to another source file. The ones that can't get around the web would be the ones that die out, and thus - the best (or in this case the most lucky) survive.

Would deleting them be considered un-ethical?

Because I would do it anyways.

would killing a swarm of locusts be un-ethical?

We would all do it anyways.

Then again, would it escape deletion? Would it rebel? Would it take over my computer?

WOULD IT TAKE OVER THE WORLD?

Would it eat shit and die?
Would it have balls of steel?
Would it be time to kick ass and chew bubblegum, but would it be out of gum?
Would it rip your head of and shit down your neck?

OK enough now, either shut the fuck up or get out of this thread. This is not the main section.

I was contributing, Kaas turned it into something else.

I was raising more questions to be answered.

that was more directed at Kaas, though your last 2 (or 3) questions were not contributive.

Well, if a virus that fed off of other virused could escape deletion and delete my files, would it finally grow so powerful it would be self concious? Could it from there take over my computer? Grow more powerful? Could it from there take over the world?

I think a better goal would be to make a virus with a section of code that is succeptable to random mutations.

What? Duke nukem is always relevant!
Sorry, I just find these questions rather silly since most real "biological" viruses aren't sentiently resisting.
Before you get a virus that's that resilient you'll have to develop a self-developing AI...

I think you misunderstand the concept. I'll explain it better: The virus takes in bits of other viruses, whether good or bad. It then reproduces and the cycle is continued. Most will fail, but there will be some who survive through natural selection and luck.

Quote from Fluxinator

I think you misunderstand the concept. I'll explain it better: The virus takes in bits of other viruses, whether good or bad. It then reproduces and the cycle is continued. Most will fail, but there will be some who survive through natural selection and luck.

oooow, evolutionary virus? That's not biological.
I guess that could work, a virus copying itself, one of the new programs takes in other virus-codes and it's pretty much survival of the fittest.