Introduction
Malware is a term used to describe any software that is designed to harm a computer system or its users. Malware can take many forms, including viruses, worms, Trojan horses, ransomware, and spyware.
- Viruses are self-replicating programs that can spread from one computer to another. They can damage files, steal data, or even take control of a computer.
- Worms are similar to viruses, but they can spread without the need for human interaction. They can also be used to spread viruses.
- Trojan horses are malicious programs that are disguised as something else, such as a legitimate file or a website. When a user opens or runs a Trojan horse, it can install malware on the computer.
- Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts a victim's files and demands a ransom payment in order to decrypt them.
- Spyware is a type of malware that is designed to collect information about a user's computer activity. This information can then be used to track the user's online habits or even steal their personal information.