what is malware discuss any four programs.what damage is caused by such
malware
Answers
Explanation:
Malware is the collective name for a number of malicious software variants, including viruses, ransomware and spyware. Shorthand for malicious software, malware typically consists of code developed by cyberattackers, designed to cause extensive damage to data and systems or to gain unauthorized access to a network.
Understanding the Six Most Common Types of Malware
The six most common types of malware are viruses, worms, Trojan Horses, spyware, adware, and ransomware. Learn more about these common types of malware and how they spread:
1. Virus
Viruses are designed to damage the target computer or device by corrupting data, reformatting your hard disk, or completely shutting down your system. They can also be used to steal information, harm computers and networks, create botnets, steal money, render advertisements, and more.
Computer viruses require human action to infect computers and mobile devices and are often spread through email attachments and internet downloads.
2. Worm
One of the most common types of malware, worms spread over computer networks by exploiting operating system vulnerabilities. A worm is a standalone program that replicates itself to infect other computers, without requiring action from anyone.
Since they can spread fast, worms are often used to execute a payload—a piece of code created to damage a system. Payloads can delete files on a host system, encrypt data for a ransomware attack, steal information, delete files, and create botnets.
3. Trojan Horse
A Trojan horse, or “Trojan”, enters your system disguised as a normal, harmless file or program designed to trick you into downloading and installing malware. As soon as you install a Trojan, you are giving cyber criminals access to your system. Through the Trojan horse, the cyber criminal can steal data, install more malware, modify files, monitor user activity, destroy data, steal financial information, conduct denial of service (DoS) attacks on targeted web addresses, and more. Trojan malware cannot replicate by itself; however, if combined with a worm, the damage Trojans can have on users and systems is endless.
4. Spyware
Installed on your computer without your knowledge, spyware is designed to track your browsing habits and internet activity. Spying capabilities can include activity monitoring, collecting keystrokes, and harvesting of account information, logins, financial data, and more. Spyware can spread by exploiting software vulnerabilities, bundling with legitimate software, or in Trojans.
5. Adware
Adware is often known for being an aggressive advertising software that puts unwanted advertising on your computer screen. Malicious adware can collect data on you, redirect you to advertising sites, and change your internet browser settings, your default browser and search settings, and your homepage. You typically pick up adware through a browser vulnerability. Legitimate adware does exist, but it will ask your permission first before collecting data about you.
6. Ransomware
According to Cybersecurity Ventures, cybercrime is predicted to cost the world 6 trillion dollars annually by 2021. Because ransomware generates so much money for cybercriminals, it is the type of malware we hear the most about.
Ransomware is a type of malware that holds your data captive and demands payment to release the data back to you. It restricts user access to the computer by either encrypting files on the hard drive or locking down the system and displaying messages that are intended to force the user to pay the attacker to release the restrictions and regain access to the computer. Once the attacker is paid, your system and data will usually go back to its original state.
DAMAGED CAUSE BY MALWARE:
The damage caused by a virus which infected a home computer or a corporate network can be different – from insignificant increase in outgoing traffic (if a computer is infected by a Trojan sending out spa products too. Sometimes malware is incompatible with the software and hardware of the system upon which it is run, resulting in server failure or drastic increases in spam traffic, thereby paralyzing a company’s network.
Malware is any software intentionally designed to cause damage to a computer, server, client, or computer network.