Malware

Malware refers to any type of malicious code or software designed to infiltrate, damage, or compromise a system, usually to steal data, bypass access controls, or cause harm.

Malware can take many forms and is typically deployed by attackers to exploit vulnerabilities within systems, applications, or networks. It can spread through various means, such as email attachments, malicious websites, or infected software downloads.

Types of Malware

There are several types of malware, each with different behaviors and objectives. Some examples include:

• Spyware: Monitors activity in a system or network, capturing data without consent

• Keylogger: Locks hardware devices such as the keyboard

• Adware: Automatically shows ads and collects information to generate personalized ads

• Backdoor: Enables unauthorized access to a system and lets issue remote commands

• Rootkit: Gives remote administrator-level access to a system and allows modification of system files

• Ransomware: Encrypts data or functions of a system and keeps it captive until a payment is made

• Scareware: Generate pop-ups notifying risk in the system and asking to run a program to fix it, which is malware

• Virus: A program that replicates by attaching itself to other executable files. Requires user interaction to activate

• Trojan: Acts as a decoy of another application to sneak malicious software

• Worm: Replicates itself to spread in a network from one computer to another