What is a common outcome of a virus infection?

A common outcome of a virus infection is corruption or loss of files. When a virus infiltrates a computer system, it often alters, deletes, or otherwise compromises data files. This can result in data becoming inaccessible or corrupted, potentially leading to significant loss of important information. Moreover, the malicious code embedded in the virus can disrupt system functionality, further exacerbating file corruption or deletion. By targeting important files, including system files and personal documents, a virus can severely affect both the performance and reliability of the computer system.

In contrast, the other choices imply positive outcomes such as increased speed, improved data management, or reduced energy consumption, which are not typically associated with virus infections. Instead, these infections generally lead to detrimental effects on a computer's performance and data integrity.