Any file or program that is harmful to the computer is known as a malicious software or a malware. Trojan horses, viruses, spyware, and worms are all forms of malware. Monitoring the activities of the computer users without authenticating, deleting, encrypting or stealing sensitive data, etc., are some of the activities that malicious software carries out. Ensure that you use a reliable antivirus or antimalware software to keep your devices safe from unethical cyber activities.

Types of malware
There are various types of malware which have unique characteristics and traits.

• A malicious program that executes and multiplies by infecting other files and programs is known as a virus which is the most common form of malware.
• The self-replicating malware that doesn’t need any host program but can spread without the interaction of directives and humans from the malware authors is the worm.
• The malicious program that has been designed to appear like a legitimate program after being activated right after the installation is a Trojan horse which can carry out functions which are malicious in nature.
• The form of malware which is designed to accumulate data and information of the users watch out their activities without their knowledge is called spyware.
• Ransomware is created for infecting the system of the user and to encrypt its data. These are used by cybercriminals to extort a ransom amount from the user in exchange for the decrypted data of the system.
• In order to gain access to the administrator level of the user’s system, the rootkit is designed. After being installed, the invaders gain access to the system.
• A remote access Trojan or a backdoor virus is a malicious program that creates a backdoor secretly into a system that is infected and allows invaders to access the system remotely without the knowledge of the users or the security software program of the infected system.

Spread of malware
The creators of a malware device can infect the network and systems by way of spreading the malware. Programs which are malicious can be delivered to a system physically by USB drive.

Malware very often spreads through the Internet via downloads that will automatically download the programs which are malicious into the system without the knowledge or approval of the user. Usually, when malicious programs get downloaded through the Internet, it is usually when the user visits a website that is malicious.

Another common means of delivering malware into the system is through phishing, that is by means of disguised legitimate messages, emails, etc. These include malicious attachments or links that can deliver executable malware into the system without the knowledge of the user.

The feature of the command-and-control server is used by more sophisticated malware which enables the attacker to attack by means of interaction with the sensitive information, remotely controlled servers, or compromised systems or infected systems.

Anti-malware

• The software created to prevent, identify, and delete a malicious software program from a system is known as anti-malware.
• An anti-malware program provides protection from the attacks of various malware that include rootkits, viruses, spyware, ransomware, etc. The anti-malware programs can be installed on gateway servers, dedicated network appliances or computing devices. The anti-malware can also be bought as a cloud service such as McAfee Cloud AV product. The anti-malware software can also be embedded into the firmware of the system.
• The anti-malware makes use of 3 strategic means of protecting the system from programs that are malicious. These strategic means are – detection of malware based on signature, behavior and sandboxing.
• The anti-malware can prevent the user from surfing websites that are known to deliver codes that are malicious. If one system is infected, the anti-malware programs are able to prevent the spread of the malware.