Types of Malware
Malware is a catch-all term that refers to software programs that damage or contaminate electronic devices, such as computers and smartphones. These programs can steal sensitive information, cause system failures, encrypt data and spy on your device.
The most common types of malware include viruses, worms, Trojans and spyware. All of these programs infect computer systems and mobile devices.
Viruses – These programs can spread by infecting files, boot sectors and other components of the operating system. They can also be downloaded from the Internet and run without a user’s permission, allowing them to do serious damage.
Worms – These self-replicating programs are designed to infect other connected devices (e.g., PCs and mobile phones) in order to create a botnet or a zombie computer network. They can then be used as part of a large-scale attack, such as a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS).
Trojans – These programs are a lot more sophisticated than worms and have been around longer. They often disguise themselves as legitimate programs and are pushed on users when they visit infected websites.
Remote access Trojans – These programs allow cybercriminals to gain remote control over an infected computer from anywhere in the world. This type of malware is used in phishing scams and hacking attacks that allow the attacker to take advantage of weak security and to steal data or credentials.
Ransomware – These malicious programs encrypt files on an infected device, rendering them unrecoverable. They then demand a ransom payment from the victim to retrieve them.