What is malware? List and describe four things that malware can do to your computer.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Malware is any program that contains malicious code, and is intended to create problems on a computer or network.

Some of the things malware can do include:

* Create network traffic jam-generates traffic on LANs and the Internet; causes service to deteriorate as download time increases for files, Web pages, and email messages.
* Initiate a denial-of-Service (DoS) attack-floods servers with useless traffic to overwhelm the server's processing capability and stops all communications.
* Reconfigure a browser-blocks users from accessing certain Web sites; changes the home page setting for a computer, redirects browser to infected Web sites.
* Delete and modify files-deletes files on a hard drive; downloads unwanted files; modifies the Windows Registry
* Install ransomware-ransomware encrypts files, then demands payment for the decryption key.
* Access confidential information-steals passwords and credit card numbers; sends spam to everyone in your email address book or your instant messaging buddy list.
* Disable antivirus and firewall software-leaves your system vulnerable to even more malware.
* Control your computer-propagates malware; allows hackers to access data on your computer remotely; turns a computer into a zombie.
* Degrade performance-forces a computer to perform more slowly than normal; sends annoying messages or pop-ups.