Computer malware, short for “malicious software,” denotes software that hackers design specifically to infiltrate, damage, disrupt, or gain unauthorized access to computer systems, networks, or devices. Malicious actors create malware with harmful intentions, and it can inflict a wide range of harm on the targeted systems and their users. Malware takes on various forms, each having its own set of objectives and methods of operation. Some common types of malware include:

  1. Viruses: Viruses attach themselves to legitimate files or software and spread by infecting other files or programs. They replicate and spread within a system, often causing damage to files and data.
  2. Worms: Self-replicating malware, worms, spread across networks and devices without any user interaction. They infect other devices by exploiting security vulnerabilities and can cause significant network congestion and data loss.
  3. Trojan Horses: Trojans disguise themselves as legitimate software, and users unknowingly install them, thinking they are harmless. Once users install them, Trojans can create backdoors, steal data, or grant remote access to attackers.
  4. Ransomware: Ransomware encrypts data. Ransom demands are to be paid in exchange for the decryption key. The goal, locking users out of their own files and systems until the ransom is paid.
  5. Spyware: Spyware is designed to gather sensitive information, such as personal data, passwords, and browsing habits, without the user’s knowledge. This information is then sent to the attacker, compromising the user’s privacy.
  6. Adware: Adware often displays excessive and unwanted advertisements, often in a disruptive or intrusive manner, compromising system performance and degrading the user experience, although it is not always harmful.
  7. Botnets: A single attacker often remotely controls networks of compromised computers, known as botnets. Attackers can use these networks to launch coordinated attacks, send spam emails, or perform other malicious activities.
  8. Keyloggers: Attackers can capture sensitive information like passwords, credit card numbers, and other confidential data by recording a user’s keystrokes using keyloggers.
  9. Rootkits: Rootkits are designed to hide themselves and other malicious software from detection by security software. They can grant unauthorized access to a system and control it without the user’s knowledge.
  10. Malvertising: Spreading malware through online advertisements involves malicious advertising. These ads can direct users to infected websites or initiate malware downloads onto their systems.

Malware can enter a system through various means, such as downloading infected files, clicking on malicious links, opening infected email attachments, or exploiting vulnerabilities in software or operating systems. To protect against malware, users are advised to use reputable antivirus and antimalware software, keep their software up to date, exercise caution while browsing the internet and opening emails, and regularly back up their important data.