Malicious Software

Malware: A type of malicious software that can be used to obtain your sensitive information or delete or modify files

The most common types of malware you’ll see are viruses, worms, adware, spyware, trojans, rootkits, backdoors, botnets

Viruses: The best known type of malware

In a computer virus, the virus attaches itself to some executable code like a program.
When the program is running, it touches many files, each of which is now susceptible to being infected with the virus.
The virus replicates itself on these files, does the malicious work it’s intended to do and repeats this over and over until it spreads as far as it can

Worms: They are similar to viruses except that instead of having to attach themselves onto something to spread, worms can live on their own and spread through channels like the network

Adware: Software that displays advertisements and collects data

Trojan: Malware that disguises itself as one thing but does something else

a computer Trojan has to be accepted by the user, meaning the program has to be executed by the user.

Spyware: The type of malware that’s meant to spy on you

which could mean monitoring your computer screens, key presses, webcams, and then reporting or streaming all of this information to another party.
Keylogger: A common type of spyware that’s used to record every keystroke you make

Ransomware: A type of attack that holds your data or system hostage until you pay some sort of ransom

Botnet: A collection of one or more Bots

Bots: Machines compromised by malware that are utilized to perform tasks centrally controlled by an attacker

Backdoor: A way to get into a system if the other methods to get in a system aren’t allowed, it’s a secret entryway for attackers

Backdoors are most commonly installed after an attacker has gained access to your system and wants to maintain that access

Rootkit: A collection of software or tools that an admin would use

Logic bomb: A type of Malware that’s intentionally installed