Encrypted virus
Updated: 04/26/2017 by Computer Hope
An encrypted virus is a computer virus that encrypts its payload with the intention of making detecting the virus more difficult. However, because anything encrypted needs a decryptor or a key an antivirus can use the decryptor as the method of detection.
Note
An encrypted virus should not be confused with the more recent computer viruses like cryptolocker (ransomware) that encrypt the data on your hard drive and hold it for ransom.