What Is Malware?

Malware is a short form of Malicious Software. Malware is a specifically designed software to affect the performance of a computer and slow down the processing speed of the computer. Malware is an umbrella term used to refer to a variety of forms of hostile or intrusive software. The Malware can be present in the form of executable code, scripts, active content, and other software. We can define a Malware on the basis of its malicious intent, acting against the requirements of the computer user - and so does not include software that causes unintentional harm due to some deficiency.

The Programs that are officially provided by companies can be considered malware when these programs work secretly against the interests of the computer user. An example of this type of malware is the Sony rootkit. In the Sony rootkit, a Trojan was embedded into CDs sold by Sony, which silently installed and concealed itself on the computers of purchasers with the intention of preventing illicit copying; it also reported on users' listening habits and unintentionally created vulnerabilities that were exploited by unrelated malware.

 Types Of Malware

There are the following types of malware that works against computer programs and damages our computer. These types of malware are:-

Computer Viruses

A computer virus is a type of malicious software program that when entering into our device starts to spread itself across our system by creating a copy of itself by modifying the programs of the computer and inserting its own code.

For Complete Detail Please Click On Link :- What Is Computer Virus ? Different Types Of Computer Virus .

Trojans Horse

Trojan Horse or Trojan is a type of malicious software which is designed to hack into the computer by misleading the user.  Trojan Horses are designed by inspiring the Greek story of wooden horses.

For Complete Detail Please Click On Link:- What Is Trojan Horse ? Types Of Trojan Horse .

Computer Worms

A computer worm is a self-replicating computer program that penetrates an operating system with the intent of spreading malicious code. Worms utilize networks to send copies of the original code to other computers, causing harm by consuming bandwidth or possibly deleting files or sending documents via email. Worms can also install backdoors on computers.

 For Complete Detail Please Click On Link :- What Is Computer Worm ? Different Types Of Computer Worms .

Spyware

Spyware is a type of spyware that when installed on our system then it started to gather the information of users of the computer without their knowledge and sends the information to another entity.  Spyware is hidden from the user in order to gather information about internet interaction, keystrokes (also known as keylogging), passwords, and other valuable data.
For Complete Detail Please Click On Link :- What Is Spyware ? Types Of Spyware and Effects Of Spyware .

Adware

Adware, or advertising-supported software, is any software package that automatically renders advertisements in order to generate revenue for its author. The advertisements may be in the user interface of the software or on a screen presented to the user during the installation process.

For Complete Detail Please Click On Link :- What Is Adware ? Different Types Of Adware .

Rootkit

A rootkit is a clandestine computer program designed to provide continued privileged access to a computer while actively hiding its presence. The term rootkit is a connection of the two words "root" and "kit." Originally, a rootkit was a collection of tools that enabled administrator-level access to a computer or network.

 For Complete Detail Please Click On Link :- What Is Rootkit ? Different Types Of Rootkits .

Ransomware

Ransomware is a type of malicious software from cryptovirology that threatens to publish the victim's data or perpetually block its access unless a ransom is paid. While some simple ransomware may lock the system in a way that is not difficult for a knowledgeable person to reverse, more advanced malware uses a technique called cryptoviral extortion, in which it encrypts the victim's files, making them inaccessible, and demands a ransom payment to decrypt them.

For Complete Detail Please Click On Link :-  What Is Ransomware ? Different Types Of Ransomware .

Scareware

Scareware is a form of malware that uses social engineering to cause shock, anxiety, or the perception of a threat in order to manipulate users into buying unwanted software. Scareware is part of a class of malicious software that includes rogue security software, ransomware, and other scam software that tricks users into believing their computer is infected with a virus, then suggests that they download and pay for fake antivirus software to remove it.

For Complete Detail Please Click On Link :- What Is Scareware ? Effects Of Scareware .

How Does Malware Work?

  A developer who develops Malware uses a variety of means to spread the malware across devices to infect devices and networks. Malicious software contains a variety of malicious programs that can be easily delivered physically to a system from the use of a USB drive or other means. Malware can also spread across device through the internet through drive-by downloads, this malware if once enter into a system then automatically download the malicious programs into the users' system without their approval or knowledge. These can enter into the user's when a user visits a malicious website, for example. Phishing attacks are another common type of malware delivery; emails disguised as legitimate messages containing malicious links, or attachments can deliver the malware executable to unsuspecting users. Sophisticated malware attacks often feature the use of a command-and-control server that allows threat actors to communicate with the infected systems, exfiltrate sensitive data and even remotely control the compromised device or server.

Malware is designed to fool users, but it also makes fools of security administrators and antimalware products. Some of these evasion techniques rely on simple tactics, such as using web proxies to hide malicious traffic or source IP addresses. More sophisticated threats include polymorphic malware, which can repeatedly change its underlying code to avoid detection from signature-based detection tools; anti-sandbox techniques, which allow the malware to detect when it's being analyzed and delay execution until after it leaves the sandbox, and file-less malware, which resides only in the system's RAM in order to avoid being discovered

Effects Of Malware

As discussed above Malware basically affects our system and slows down the performance speed of our system and now we consider about following terms to find our system get affected by malicious software:-

 Slow Down

 Each type of malware has the tendency to slow down your operating system, your Internet speed, or the speed of your applications. Hence when our system gets affected by malware, the system works slowly in comparison to before the malware attack.

  Pop-Ups

 The most remarkable signs of malware are present in the form of unwanted pop-up windows. The Unexpected advertisements were pop-ups that appear on the system are a typical sign of a spyware infection.

 Crashes 

If Once your System is affected by malware then it will crash automatically and continuously. The infamous BSOD ( Blue Screen Of Depth ) appears continuously. which is a clear warning that your system is affected by malware.

 Access To Unwanted Sites Without Any Input

When you are using your device due to the effect of malware your browser automatically gets opened and a site is automatically browsed by your browser without your permission and without any input provided by you.

  Suspicious Activities Of Hard Drive

 If you notice that your disk continues to exhibit excessive activity even when you don’t use it and there is no program or download running at that moment, this could be the right time to check your system for malware.

Why Malware is Used

 Mainly Malware is used by both black hat hackers and the government for their basic purposes. Some purposes for using malware are listed below:-

◆ By the black hat hackers, Malware is used broadly against a government or corporate websites to gather guarded information or to disrupt their operation in general.

◆ These Malicious programs are designed to monitor users' web browsing, display unsolicited advertisements, or redirect affiliate marketing revenues.

◆ Some malware is used to generate money by click fraud, making it appear that the computer user has clicked an advertising link on a site, generating a payment from the advertiser.

◆ Malware affects an infected computer in some way and demands payment to reverse the damage.

◆ Criminal money-making and malware can be used for sabotage, often for political motives.