Malware

Malware (malicious software) is software that is designed to gain access to your computer with malicious intent.

• False

• True

Malware intent to:

• Data theft

• Disabling hardware

• Forced advertising

• Sending email spam

• Extorting money

Malware can be categorised into:

• Viruses

• Trojans

• Worm

• Adware

• Spyware and ransomware

Viruses ....

• do not attach themselves to files

• are a malicious form of self-replicating software.

• will replicate itself by maliciously modifying other computer programs and inserting code.

For a virus can infect a system, even if it was not initiated/executed by a user

• False

• True

Common ways to catch a computer virus:

• Click a confirmation button on a pop-up without reading it

• Install Windows updates

• Download files such as movies or games from illegal websites of peer-to-peer file-sharing platforms

• Download an email attachment

Worms ......

• replicate themselves

• do not attach themselves to files as a virus does.

• spread through the network and use the system’s resources.

• attach themselves to files as a virus does.

Ransomware ....

• form of virus

• self-replicating

• form of worm

• prevents the user from being able to access the data

A trojan .........

• might open a ‘back door’ to give an attacker remote access to your computer.

• is unwanted software that monitors and gathers information on a person and how they use their computer.

• is a piece of software that appears to perform a useful function (such as a game) but unbeknown to the user it also performs malicious actions.

Spyware is unwanted software that monitors and gathers information on a person and how they use their computer.

• False

• True