Malware is the term used to describe a wide range of harmful software. According to some of the best cyber security companies in Sydney, Malware includes viruses, worms, Trojan horses, spyware, scareware and other malicious programs that can harm your computer, steal personal information and/or slow down your computer’s performance.
Malware and its impact on computers are growing rapidly. Here are some types of malwares you should know about:
- Viruses
A virus is a malicious program designed to damage or destroy data. A virus attaches itself to executable files on your computer. When an infected file is opened or executed by an unsuspecting user, it will spread the virus to other files and systems. Viruses are usually programmed to replicate themselves or cause damage after a certain date or event occurs.
- Worms
A worm is similar to a virus in that it spreads from one computer to another without human intervention. However, unlike viruses which rely on users opening infected files for propagation, worms do not require user action to spread themselves across networks and machines. Instead, they use security holes in operating systems or applications to spread themselves automatically over network connections without requiring any action by users at all!
- Trojans (or trojan horses)
A Trojan horse is a program that appears harmless but contains hidden functions that allow unauthorized users access to your system without your knowledge or consent. They may be used for malicious purposes such as stealing personal information or causing damage to your system and data files. Many Trojans are designed to look like popular applications so they can trick users into installing them unwittingly on their computers.
- Adware
Advertising-supported software displays advertisements while you’re using your computer. Adware can collect personal information about you through websites you visit and then sell this information to advertisers who want to target their ads based on your interests.
- Spyware
Spyware monitors what you do on your computer by collecting information about your activities and sending it back to others without your knowledge. This type of malware may also change how your browser works so that the home page is redirected to another site or change search results from Google or Bing so that they lead you to other sites instead of showing you what you asked for. Spyware can also track what personal information you enter into web forms, such as credit card numbers or Social Security numbers. If a hacker gets access to this type of data, they could steal your identity in order to commit fraud against financial institutions.
- Ransomware
Ransomware is a type of malicious software designed to block access to a user’s data or computer functionality until a sum of money is paid. When users try to open an infected file, they are falsely informed that they have broken some law and must pay a fine using prepaid cards. If the user fails to pay within the allotted time frame, the amount will double.
- Phishing scams
Phishing scams are fraudulent attempts by cybercriminals and identity thieves to obtain sensitive information such as credit card numbers and bank account details by masquerading as trustworthy organizations in emails or websites. Phishing scams often contain links that direct users to spoofed websites where they are asked to provide personal information such as usernames and passwords.
