What is Malware?

Malware, short for malicious software, refers to any program or code designed to harm or exploit a computer system, network, or user's personal information. Malware can take many forms, including viruses, worms, trojan horses, spyware, adware, ransomware, and more.

Once installed, malware can perform a variety of malicious activities, such as stealing sensitive information, altering or deleting files, sending spam, and more. Malware can spread from one computer to another through various means, including email attachments, infected software downloads, and even through seemingly legitimate websites that have been compromised by attackers.

It's important to protect against malware by keeping your operating system and software up to date, using anti-virus and anti-malware software, avoiding suspicious emails and downloads, and regularly backing up important data.

Malware is a major threat to both individuals and organizations, as it can cause significant financial loss and harm to personal and sensitive information. Staying vigilant and proactive in protecting against malware is crucial in today's digital age.

Simplified Example

Think of malware like a burglar. Imagine a burglar breaking into your house and causing trouble, like breaking your items or taking your valuables. That's what malware does to your computer – it causes harm and can make it difficult for you to use your computer the way you want to.

Just like a burglar, malware can spread from one place to another, like from one friend's computer to another. And just like you would want to protect yourself from a mean monster, it's important to protect your computer from malware by using strong passwords, keeping your software updated, and being careful about what you download or open.

Who Invented Malware?

The term "malware" was introduced by computer scientist Yisrael Radai in 1990. Serving as a comprehensive label, malware encompasses any software intentionally designed to inflict harm upon a computer system, network, or server, including viruses, worms, trojans, spyware, and ransomware. Hackers create malware for diverse motives, such as financial gain, data theft, or sabotage. Radai coined the term in a public posting on July 4, 1990, stating, "Trojans constitute only a very small percentage of malware (a word I just coined for trojans, viruses, worms, etc)." Rapidly gaining traction, "malware" has become a widely adopted term to denote any form of malicious software. Its utility lies in its broad inclusivity, covering various types of malware, while maintaining specificity to differentiate it from other software categories.

Examples

Virus: A virus is a type of malware that is designed to replicate itself and spread to other computers. It can cause harm to your computer by corrupting files, stealing sensitive information, or using your computer to attack other computers.

Trojan: A Trojan is a type of malware that is disguised as a legitimate program. It is designed to steal sensitive information or give an attacker control over your computer. Trojans are often spread through email attachments or infected software downloads.

Ransomware: Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts your files and demands payment in exchange for the decryption key. Ransomware can spread through email attachments, infected software downloads, or by exploiting vulnerabilities in your operating system. It can cause significant harm to your computer and can result in the loss of important data if the ransom is not paid.

Related Terms

• Anti-Malware: Software designed to prevent, detect, and remove malware (malicious software) from computer systems and networks.

• Ransomware: A type of malicious software that encrypts the files on a computer or network and demands payment from the victim in exchange for a decryption key.