Discuss a virus and related examples of malware, also include definitions of the term payload, and a discussion of how a virus delivers a payload in your answer. Explain a common way through which computers and mobile devices become infected with viruses, and list common types of malware

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Student responses will vary, but should be drawn from the following information from the text.

Malware, short for malicious software, consists of programs that act without a user's knowledge and deliberately alter the operations of computers and mobile devices. Some malware contains characteristics in two or more classes. For example, a single threat could contain elements of a virus, worm, and Trojan horse. Some websites maintain lists of known malware.

Malware can deliver its payload, or destructive event or prank, on a computer or mobile device in a variety of ways, such as when a user opens an infected file, runs an infected program, connects an unprotected computer or mobile device to a network, or when a certain condition or event occurs, such as the computer's clock changing to a specific date. A common way that computers and mobile devices become infected with viruses and other malware is through users opening infected email attachments.

Common types of malware include:
Virus: A potentially damaging program that affects, or infects, a computer or mobile device negatively by altering the way the computer or device works without the user's knowledge or permission.
Worm: A program that copies itself repeatedly, for example in memory or on a network, using up resources and possibly shutting down the computer, device, or network.
Trojan horse: A program that hides within or looks like a legitimate program. Unlike a virus or worm, a Trojan horse does not replicate itself to other computers or devices.
Rootkit: A program that hides in a computer or mobile device and allows someone from a remote location to take full control of the computer or device.
Spyware: A program placed on a computer or mobile device without the user's knowledge that secretly collects information about the user and then communicates the information it collects to some outside source while the user is online.
Adware: A program that displays an online advertisement in a banner or pop-up window on webpages, email messages, or other Internet services.