What Is Malware and How Does It Affect Your Computer?
Malware is a broad term for any type of software that disrupts the normal operation of your device. This disruption could be as subtle as displaying ads without your consent, or as dramatic as stealing data and shutting down your system. Ultimately, the goal of malware is to give attackers control over your device and take advantage of it in some way — whether by sending your information to a third party, monetizing your device’s processing power to mine cryptocurrencies, or holding your device hostage until you pay a ransom.
Most commonly, malware is delivered via email attachments, text message links, social media posts, or advertisements that appear to be legitimate but secretly contain malicious code. These code types range from viruses to worms, cryptojacking programs, rootkits, and spyware.
Some malware programs simply erase or damage files, while others steal personal information for identity theft or financial fraud. Still others use your computer’s resources to slow down its performance or clog networks. Logic bombs concealed within programs are triggered by user interaction or at predetermined times and can cause significant issues like wiping your hard drive or crashing your system.
Other types of malware attack your devices by exploiting security vulnerabilities and gaining access to your system. Viruses can infect your computer through file-sharing programs, email attachments, social media posts, network shares, or removable drives. Worms can spread across computers by exploiting security vulnerabilities and copying themselves, while Trojan horses gain unauthorized access to your system by disguising themselves as harmless programs or changing security settings.