What is Malware and How Does it Affect Your Computer?
Malware is software that is designed to cause disruption, steal or corrupt data, hijack computing functions, steal personal information, capture keystrokes and images, or spy on your online activity. It can be found on a wide range of electronic devices, including computers, smartphones, tablets and Internet of Things (IoT) devices.
The goals of cybercriminals who create malware vary, but most seek to make money from the attack or gain a competitive advantage through industrial espionage. Many of the same tools and tactics used to develop malware are also employed by state-sponsored threat actors.
Malware attacks are generally launched by phishing emails, exploiting vulnerabilities in operating systems or using file-sharing networks to distribute the code. Some malware, such as ransomware, stays dormant until activated by unsuspecting users – often when they click on an infected link or open an infected attachment. Once active, the malware can complete a variety of tasks, such as encrypting files or taking over computer system functions.
Malware can also be hidden in legitimate programs and apps – for example, a fake program that claims to convert PDFs, unzip files, find product discounts or provide caller ID functionality on a smartphone could contain malicious code. Or, a cybercriminal might create a rogue version of a popular app and spread it via peer to peer file sharing networks. Other types of malware, like backdoor viruses or remote access Trojans, secretly create a door into an infected system so attackers can access and manipulate it.