Malware takes its name from the contraction of two words, malicious software. Malware comes in many different forms and can be described as software that has been written with the intent of doing damage in some way. There are various different types of malicious software, or 'malware', including:
Adware
A type of malware that tracks user activity (e.g. browser usage and downloads) with the intention of delivering advertising, which is often difficult to close.
Botnet
A botnet (from robot network) is a type of malware attack using multiple separate computers that have been infected and commanded by the attacker.
Keylogger
A keylogger can monitor a great deal of user activity, including email, browsing activity, program use and keystrokes, which can be used to acquire usernames and passwords.
Cryptocurrency miner
A miner (or 'cryptojacker') is designed to harness the computing power of the infected machine to generate cryptocurrency (e.g. Bitcoin) for the attacker.
Ransomware
A type of malware that infects the computer, but rather than causing damage, it encrypts data and demands payment (the 'ransom') in return for decrypting it.
Rootkit
A set of software tools designed to allow an attacker to gain unauthorised access - often elevated (e.g. administrator level) access - to a computer without being detected.
Spyware
A little like adware, spyware is a type of malware that monitors user activity and transmits this data to the attacker without the user's knowledge.
Trojan
Disguised as legitimate software, a trojan misleads the user in to executing it and allowing the payload to be deployed, which may include a 'backdoor' that an attacker can use to gain access.
Virus
A type of malware that attaches itself to legitimate programs or files, and replicates itself in order to 'infect' the computer and deploy the payload.
Worm
Unlike a virus, a worm can self-replicate without needing a host program or file, and often spreads without any user action, usually exploiting weaknesses (or 'vulnerabilities') in security measures.
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