What is the general term for software designed to damage data or disrupt computers and their users?

Q: What type of software that can harm or destroy a computer system?

Harmful Software (Malware) Malware is a shortened term for malicious software. Malware is software designed to infiltrate or damage a computer without the owners consent or knowledge. There are many types of malware, including: Viruses: malware that spreads from computer disks, CD-ROMs, and other storage media.

How do I protect my network against malware?

Typically, businesses focus on preventative tools to stop breaches. By securing the perimeter, businesses assume they are safe. Some advanced malware, however, will eventually make their way into your network. As a result, it is crucial to deploy technologies that continually monitor and detect malware that has evaded perimeter defenses. Sufficient advanced malware protection requires multiple layers of safeguards along with high-level network visibility and intelligence.

Inhaltsverzeichnis Show

How do I protect my network against malware?
How do I detect and respond to malware?
What is Malware?
Types of Malware
Facts about Malware
How do I know if I have Malware on my computer?
Browser crashes & instabilities
Poor system performance
Advertising
What is the term for software designed to damage or disrupt a system?
What do you call any type of software that is designed to damage your computer or gain unauthorized access to your personal information?
What type of software that can harm or destroy a computer system?
Is used for a computer program that is designed to damage or disrupt a computer system and the files that are stored on it?

How do I detect and respond to malware?

Malware will inevitably penetrate your network. You must have defenses that provide significant visibility and breach detection. In order to remove malware, you must be able to identify malicious actors quickly. This requires constant network scanning. Once the threat is identified, you must remove the malware from your network. Today's antivirus products are not enough to protect against advanced cyber threats. Learn how to update your antivirus strategy.

This page provides an overview of the most common malware applications. For specific steps you can take to protect against malware, see our Protect Against Viruses & Security Threats pages.

What is Malware?

Malware is a catch-all term for various malicious software, including viruses, adware, spyware, browser hijacking software, and fake security software.

Once installed on your computer, these programs can seriously affect your privacy and your computer's security. For example, malware is known for relaying personal information to advertisers and other third parties without user consent. Some programs are also known for containing worms and viruses that cause a great deal of computer damage.

Types of Malware

Viruses which are the most commonly-known form of malware and potentially the most destructive. They can do anything from erasing the data on your computer to hijacking your computer to attack other systems, send spam, or host and share illegal content.
Spyware collects your personal information and passes it on to interested third parties without your knowledge or consent. Spyware is also known for installing Trojan viruses.
Adware displays pop-up advertisements when you are online.
Fake security software poses as legitimate software to trick you into opening your system to further infection, providing personal information, or paying for unnecessary or even damaging "clean ups".
Browser hijacking software changes your browser settings (such as your home page and toolbars), displays pop-up ads and creates new desktop shortcuts. It can also relay your personal preferences to interested third parties.

Facts about Malware

Malware is often bundled with other software and may be installed without your knowledge.
For instance, AOL Instant Messenger comes with WildTangent, a documented malware program. Some peer-to-peer (P2P) applications, such as KaZaA, Gnutella, and LimeWire also bundle spyware and adware. While End User License Agreements (EULA) usually include information about additional programs, some malware is automatically installed, without notification or user consent.

Malware is very difficult to remove.
Malware programs can seldom be uninstalled by conventional means. In addition, they ‘hide’ in unexpected places on your computer (e.g., hidden folders or system files), making their removal complicated and time-consuming. In some cases, you may have to reinstall your operating system to get rid of the infection completely.

Malware threatens your privacy.
Malware programs are known for gathering personal information and relaying it to advertisers and other third parties. The information most typically collected includes your browsing and shopping habits, your computer's IP address, or your identification information.

Malware threatens your computer’s security.
Some types of malware contain files commonly identified as Trojan viruses. Others leave your computer vulnerable to viruses. Regardless of type, malware is notorious for being at the root, whether directly or indirectly, of virus infection, causing conflicts with legitimate software and compromising the security of any operating system, Windows or Macintosh.

How do I know if I have Malware on my computer?

Common symptoms include:

Browser crashes & instabilities

Browser closes unexpectedly or stops responding.
The home page changes to a different website and cannot be reset.
New toolbars are added to the browser.
Clicking a link does not work or you are redirected to an unrelated website.

Poor system performance

Internet connection stops unexpectedly.
Computer stops responding or takes longer to start.
Applications do not open or are blocked from downloading updates (especially security programs).
New icons are added to desktop or suspicious programs are installed.
Certain system settings or configuration options become unavailable.

Advertising

Ads pop up even when the browser is not open.
Browser opens automatically to display ads.
New pages open in browser to display ads.
Search results pages display only ads.

What is the term for software designed to damage or disrupt a system?

Malware is intrusive software that is designed to damage and destroy computers and computer systems. Malware is a contraction for “malicious software.” Examples of common malware includes viruses, worms, Trojan viruses, spyware, adware, and ransomware.

What do you call any type of software that is designed to damage your computer or gain unauthorized access to your personal information?

Malware, or malicious software, is any program or file that is intentionally harmful to a computer, network or server. Types of malware include computer viruses, worms, Trojan horses, ransomware and spyware.

What type of software that can harm or destroy a computer system?

Harmful Software (Malware) Malware is a shortened term for "malicious software." Malware is software designed to infiltrate or damage a computer without the owner's consent or knowledge. There are many types of malware, including: Viruses: malware that spreads from computer disks, CD-ROMs, and other storage media.

Is used for a computer program that is designed to damage or disrupt a computer system and the files that are stored on it?

Malware is short for malicious software, which is software specifically designed to damage data or a computer system. It's a broad term for software used to disrupt computer operation, gather sensitive information or gain access to private computer systems.