Malware

Malware, short for malicious software, is any software intentionally designed to cause damage to a computer, server, client, or computer network. It is a general term that encompasses a wide variety of threats. A Virus is a type of malware that, when executed, replicates by inserting copies of itself (possibly modified) into other computer programs, data files, or the boot sector of the hard drive. Viruses often perform a harmful action, such as destroying data. They require a host program to spread. A Worm is a standalone malware computer program that replicates itself in order to spread to other computers. It often uses a computer network to spread itself, relying on security failings on the target computer to access it. Unlike a virus, it does not need to attach itself to an existing program. A Trojan, or Trojan horse, is a type of malware that is often disguised as legitimate software. Trojans can be employed by cyber-thieves and hackers trying to gain access to users' systems. Users are typically tricked into loading and executing it on their systems. Once activated, Trojans can enable cyber-criminals to spy on you, steal your sensitive data, and gain backdoor access to your system. Spyware is a type of malware that installs itself on a computer to secretly gather information about the user, their computer, and their browsing habits without their consent. It can monitor keystrokes, capture screenshots, and harvest login credentials.