Malware: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 03:33, 13 February 2025

Malware[edit]

Malware is a portmanteau of "malicious software" and refers to any software intentionally designed to cause damage to a computer, server, client, or computer network. Malware can take many forms, including viruses, worms, trojan horses, ransomware, spyware, adware, and scareware, among others.

Types of Malware[edit]

Viruses[edit]

A computer virus is a type of malware that, when executed, replicates by inserting copies of itself into other computer programs, data files, or the boot sector of the hard drive. When this replication succeeds, the affected areas are then said to be "infected".

Worms[edit]

A computer worm is a standalone malware computer program that replicates itself in order to spread to other computers. Unlike a computer virus, it does not need to attach itself to an existing program.

Trojan Horses[edit]

A 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.

Ransomware[edit]

Ransomware is a type of malware that threatens to publish the victim's data or perpetually block access to it unless a ransom is paid.

Spyware[edit]

Spyware is software that aims to gather information about a person or organization without their knowledge and may send such information to another entity without the consumer's consent.

Adware[edit]

Adware is software that automatically displays or downloads advertising material (often unwanted) when a user is online.

Scareware[edit]

Scareware is a type of malware designed to trick victims into purchasing and downloading unnecessary and potentially dangerous software.

Prevention and Protection[edit]

To protect against malware, it is important to use antivirus software, keep systems updated, and practice safe browsing habits. Users should be cautious when downloading files or clicking on links from unknown sources.

Related pages[edit]

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-'''Malware''' is a term used to describe malicious software, including [[Computer virus|viruses]], [[Computer worm|worms]], [[Spyware|spyware]], and [[Ransomware|ransomware]]. These harmful programs are designed to infiltrate, damage, or disable computers, computer systems, networks, tablets, and mobile devices, often by taking partial control over a device's operations. Like the human [[Virus|viral]] counterpart, malware is typically spread to other computers by attaching itself to various programs and executing its code when the user launches one of those infected programs.
+== Malware ==
-==Types of Malware==
+[[File:Blaster_hex_dump.png|thumb|right|Hex dump of the Blaster worm, a notorious piece of malware.]]
-There are several types of malware, each with its unique characteristics and methods of operation. Some of the most common types include:
+'''Malware''' is a portmanteau of "malicious software" and refers to any software intentionally designed to cause damage to a computer, server, client, or computer network. Malware can take many forms, including viruses, worms, trojan horses, ransomware, spyware, adware, and scareware, among others.
-* '''[[Computer virus|Viruses]]''': These are malicious programs that replicate themselves and spread to other computers by attaching themselves to various programs and files.
+== Types of Malware ==
-* '''[[Computer worm|Worms]]''': These are self-replicating programs that spread across networks without the need to attach themselves to other files.
+=== Viruses ===
+[[File:Blaster_hex_dump.png|thumb|left|Example of a virus in hex format.]]
+A [[computer virus]] is a type of malware that, when executed, replicates by inserting copies of itself into other computer programs, data files, or the boot sector of the hard drive. When this replication succeeds, the affected areas are then said to be "infected".
-* '''[[Spyware|Spyware]]''': This type of malware secretly monitors and collects information about users, including browsing habits, personal data, and sensitive information like passwords and credit card numbers.
+=== Worms ===
+A [[computer worm]] is a standalone malware computer program that replicates itself in order to spread to other computers. Unlike a computer virus, it does not need to attach itself to an existing program.
-* '''[[Ransomware|Ransomware]]''': This type of malware encrypts the user's data and demands a ransom to restore access to the data.
+=== Trojan Horses ===
+A [[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.
-* '''[[Trojan horse (computing)|Trojans]]''': These are malicious programs that disguise themselves as legitimate software to trick users into installing them.
+=== Ransomware ===
+[[Ransomware]] is a type of malware that threatens to publish the victim's data or perpetually block access to it unless a ransom is paid.
-* '''[[Adware|Adware]]''': This type of malware displays unwanted advertisements and can also track a user's browsing habits to display targeted ads.
+=== Spyware ===
+[[Spyware]] is software that aims to gather information about a person or organization without their knowledge and may send such information to another entity without the consumer's consent.
-==Prevention and Removal==
+=== Adware ===
+[[Adware]] is software that automatically displays or downloads advertising material (often unwanted) when a user is online.
-Preventing malware infections involves a combination of practices, including the use of [[Antivirus software|antivirus software]], keeping software and operating systems up-to-date, avoiding suspicious emails and websites, and practicing good [[Internet security|internet security]] habits.
+=== Scareware ===
+[[Scareware]] is a type of malware designed to trick victims into purchasing and downloading unnecessary and potentially dangerous software.
-Removal of malware can be a complex process, depending on the type of malware and the extent of the infection. In many cases, a reputable antivirus or anti-malware program can detect and remove the malicious software. In more severe cases, it may be necessary to enlist the help of a professional or use specialized malware removal tools.
+== Prevention and Protection ==
-==See Also==
+To protect against malware, it is important to use [[antivirus software]], keep systems updated, and practice safe browsing habits. Users should be cautious when downloading files or clicking on links from unknown sources.
+== Related pages ==
 * [[Computer security]]
-* [[Cybersecurity]]
-* [[Internet security]]
 * [[Antivirus software]]
+* [[Cybercrime]]
+* [[Information security]]
 [[Category:Computer security]]
 [[Category:Malware]]
-[[Category:Internet security]]
-{{Computer-security-stub}}
-{{Malware-stub}}