Malicious software

Malicious software (or malware), often generically called a virus, is computer software which deliberately does something harmful to a computer or other digital device. Once downloaded, malware can be passed from one computer to another. Malware is usually downloaded to a computer by hiding inside rogue (and sometimes legitimate) software packages: the Trojan horse (or Trojan).

Symptoms

If an operating system (such as Windows, or Mac OS) gets infected by malware, it could cause the loss of important files; business files, digital music and movies, and pictures could be destroyed by a single infection. The malware may use the infected computer to generate revenue (by displaying advertisements, farming private information, or mining cryptocurrency, for example) or simply cause damage. Malware can also interfere with industrial processes, infrastructure, and other business processes if it has access to related devices.

Infectious Mobile Devices

Android devices and some versions of the Apple iOS mobile operating system are vulnerable to malicious code contained in PDF files. Security researchers at Intego noted that while there is currently no known malware for iOS, files that flow through mobile devices and into home and office computers by email or remote storage can contain malware and worms that are harmful to the Mac and Windows operating systems. For example, once infected, an iPhone would act as an asymptomatic carrier, allowing cybercriminals to access confidential information, intercept phone conversations or take over other aspects of the infected device.

Mac Malware

While Mac malware is scarcer than Windows malware, over the last ten years threats targeting Mac OS X have been on the rise and have become more sophisticated. In addition, Macs can pass on files that contain malware to Windows users. For this reason, a layered approach to security is the best defense, including the use of a firewall and Mac antivirus that detects and stops Windows viruses as well as Mac malware.

Other Malware

In addition to the Linux Virus, Macro Virus, Windows Virus, and Mac Virus, a number of other types of malware exist for computer operating systems. This includes spyware, adware, keyloggers, and scareware (rogue software that claims to serve a purpose, usually pretending to be security software).

See also

• Tails (operating system) (Linux-based) and Tor (anonymity network) Firefox browser encryption for Internet anonymity to protect unalienable rights
• Botnet