Unmasking the Hidden Dangers: A Guide to Different Types of Malware

Malware is a software designed to harm devices and networks. Primary purpose of malware is to obtain money, or in some cases and intelligence advantage that can be used against a person, organization or territory.

Types of Malware

1. Spyware - It is a sneaky software that watches what you do online and can record your keystrokes, like the keys you press on your keyboard. It can even grab your personal info, like your online banking stuff. Spyware gets on your device by tricking you, often by hiding in regular software or pretending to be something it's not, like a Trojan horse.
   

2. Adware - It is a sneaky software that often comes bundled with other programs. Its main job is to flood your web browser with ads. You can't miss it – those annoying pop-up ads that keep showing up on your screen are a sign of adware. Here's the catch: Adware sometimes brings its spyware buddy along, making things even worse for your computer.
   

3. Backdoor - This type of malware is used to gain unauthorized access by bypassing the normal authentication procedures to access a system. As a result, hackers can gain remote access to resources within an application and issue remote system commands. A backdoor works in the background and is difficult to detect.
   

4. Ransomware - This bad software is like a digital kidnapper. It locks up your computer or your stuff and won't let you have it back until you pay a ransom. Usually, it does this by turning your data into secret code that you can't understand.
   

5. Scareware - This is a tricky kind of malware that pretends to be helpful but is actually harmful. It shows fake warning messages that say your computer is in danger and asks you to run a program to fix it. If you say yes and run that program, your computer will get infected with bad software.
   

6. Rootkit - This malware sneaks into your computer and makes a secret door for attackers. They can control your computer from far away. Rootkits can also modify system forensics and monitoring tools, making them very hard to detect. In most cases, a computer infected by a rootkit has to be wiped and any required software reinstalled.
   

7. Virus - A computer virus is like a digital germ. It copies itself and sticks to other files, like documents, by adding its own code. Sometimes, you have to click on something to make it work. Viruses can be harmless, like those that show funny pictures, or harmful, like those that mess up or delete your files. Some viruses change themselves to hide from computer defenses. They usually spread through things like USB drives, email, or shared stuff on networks.
   

8. Trojan Horse - This malware carries out malicious operations by masking its true intent. It might appear legitimate but is, in fact, very dangerous. Trojans exploit your user privileges and are most often found in image files, audio files or games. Unlike viruses, Trojans do not self-replicate but act as a decoy to sneak malicious software past unsuspecting users.
   

9. Worms - Worms are like digital germs that copy themselves and move from one computer to another. Unlike viruses, they don't need a host program to work, and they can spread on their own. Worms have some things in common: they use weaknesses in systems, they can make copies of themselves, and they all have bad code that can harm computer systems or networks. Example, in 2001, the Code Red worm infected more than 300,000 servers in just 19 hours.

Symptoms of Malware

If your computer is infected with malware, watch for these signs:

• Slower CPU and device performance

• Frequent crashes and freezes

• Slow internet and network issues

• Missing or altered files

• Unexpected files, programs, or icons

• Mysterious processes running

• Odd program behavior

• Unauthorized emails being sent.