Viruses have evolved over time, starting with early viruses that spread through floppy disks and computer bulletin boards as personal computers became more widely used. Computer viruses are named after biological viruses due to shared traits of replicating themselves. Viruses learn new tricks like infecting boot sectors to copy to other disks and machines, while worms are programs that copy themselves between devices. Protection involves using secure operating systems, avoiding untrusted programs, enabling macro virus protection, and not opening executable email attachments.