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This document outlines the history of computer viruses from their theoretical conception in 1949 through major viruses in the early 2000s. Some key events include the first viruses found "in the wild" in 1981, Fred Cohen formally defining the term "computer virus" in 1983, the first file and macro viruses in the late 1980s, the rise of antivirus software in the early 1990s as viruses proliferated, and some of the most widespread and damaging viruses of the late 1990s and early 2000s like Melissa, ILOVEYOU, CodeRed, and MyDoom. The document traces how viruses evolved from early isolated incidents to become a major threat as connectivity and software increased.