Module 7. Malware Threats

Malware is malicious software that damages or disables computer systems and gives limited or full control of those systems to the malware creator for theft or fraud.

With the help of a malicious application (malware), an attacker gains access to stored passwords in a computer and is able to read personal documents, delete files, display pictures, or messages on the screen, slow down computers, steal personal information, send spam, and commit fraud. Malware can perform various malicious activities that range from simple email advertising to complex identity theft and password stealing.

Programmers develop malware and use it to:

• Attack browsers and track websites visited

• Affect system performance, making it very slow

• Cause hardware failure, rendering computers inoperable

• Steal personal information, including contacts

• Erase valuable information, resulting in substantial data losses

• Attack additional computer systems directly from a compromised system

• Spam inboxes with advertising emails