Malware is short for malicious software, and it refers to any software that is designed to cause harm to computer systems, networks, or users. Malware is installed on a computer without the users consent and performs malicious actions, such as stealing passwords or money. Malware is developed as harmful software that invades or corrupts your computer network, and the goal of malware is to cause havoc and steal information or resources for monetary gain or sheer sabotage. There are different types of malware, including viruses, worms, Trojan horses, ransomware, and spyware.
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Viruses: A virus is malicious software attached to a document or file that supports macros to execute its code and spread from host to host. Once downloaded, the virus will lie dormant until the file is opened and in use. Viruses are designed to disrupt a systems ability to operate, and they can cause significant operational issues and data loss.
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Spyware: Spyware is malicious software that runs secretly on a computer and reports back to a remote user. Rather than simply disrupting a devices operations, spyware targets sensitive information and can grant remote access to predators. Spyware is often used to steal financial or personal information. A specific type of spyware is a keylogger, which records your keystrokes to reveal passwords and personal information.
To protect yourself from malware attacks, you can install antivirus software and keep it up to date, be cautious when opening email attachments or downloading software from the internet, and keep your software and systems up-to-date.
