What type of virus combines characteristics of boot and program viruses?

A multipartite virus is aptly categorized because it exhibits characteristics of both boot sector viruses, which load during the boot process of the operating system, and program viruses, which attach themselves to executable files. This dual capability allows multipartite viruses to spread in multiple ways: by infecting the boot sector of storage media to execute upon startup and by attaching to programs that are run by users.

This complexity makes multipartite viruses particularly challenging to detect and remove, as they can propagate even when antivirus tools are only scanning for either boot or program-specific threats individually. Understanding the distinct nature of multipartite viruses highlights the need for comprehensive antivirus solutions that can address their multifaceted behavior.