The co‐existence of viruses with their hosts can be viewed as a molecular arms race between the virus and host elimination mechanisms. Continuous interactions between hosts and pathogens, during their co‐evolution, have shaped the immune system and in turn viruses have manipulated host immune control mechanisms to facilitate their propagation. As viral proteins target many conserved pathways in cellular evolution, viral gene functions provide an insight into the mechanisms of cell biology and immunology. The importance of avoiding apoptosis for viral survival may lead to proliferation and an increased risk of transformation; this is discussed with specific reference to human papillomavirus infection.