BotNet News

Your source for Online Security News

Malware is software designed to disrupt, damage, or disable computers, systems, tablets, and mobile devices. It can steal, encrypt, or delete data; hijack core computer functions; and spy on your activity without your knowledge or permission.

Cybercriminals can create and deliver malware to any device, from anywhere in the world. They may hide it in applications you download, or in advertisements on websites you visit. They can also use a network of infected machines to execute attacks like DDoS, spam, and ransomware.

The goal of most malware is to remain undetected, so you might not notice that your device has become infected. Typically, you’ll only become aware of the problem when it starts to impact performance or cause other problems. For example, your device may begin running slower than usual, and you might notice that you don’t have as much free storage space as you used to.

Some malware is designed to steal personal or financial information. This information is sent to cybercriminals for purposes like financial fraud or identity theft. Some malware is designed to attack specific hardware or software, and exploit a security weakness. Examples include phishing attacks, Trojans, and blended threats.

Viruses are a form of malware that can spread between devices. They often infect files or programs, and can even erase a hard disk. They’re like biological viruses in this way, and have been called “the disease of the digital age.” Other types of malware are worms and bots. These are self-replicating, and can automatically spread between networks or users by exploiting security vulnerabilities.