Cybersecurity — P5: Malware

Malware is a type of malicious software that can infect your computer and infiltrate all of your data. It’s often used to steal personal information or spread other types of malware. The best way to protect yourself from malware is to keep up-to-date with security patches and always use antivirus software on your device.

It’s estimated that the total cost of malware related cybercrime is at $6 trillion. Yes, trillion with a T. Read More.

What is Malware?

Malware is a type of software that can be used to damage or disable computers and computer systems. Malware can be used by hackers to steal your personal information, or it can be used by criminals to steal your money.

Malware (short for “malicious code”) has been around since the 1980s, but it wasn’t until recently that people started using the term ‘malware’ in reference to this type of malicious code. Before then, malware was often just called viruses or worms — but those terms didn’t really encompass all that much information about what they actually were.

How does malware get into my computer?

Malware can be downloaded from the Internet, installed by a hacker and/or virus, or even installed by a worm.