6.1 COMPUTER THREATS Malware, Adware, Spam and Bugs Computers and electronic devices in general are subject to different types of risks which can be external attacks that can damage them or simply risks associated with incorrect use by users. What is malware? , short for , refers to a variety of malicious programs that can be used to compromise computer functions, steal data, bypass access controls, monitor users’ activity, and even damage hardware. Malware 1 malicious software Classification of malware Malware can be classified into the following broad categories: : Compromise computer functions, damage or destroy data, damage hardware, or facilitate malicious attacks. Malicious programs : Programs that steal money or sensitive data. Crimeware : Specific threats for mobile devices. Mobile malware : Attacks carried out to affect data transmission or intercept data. Network threats Malware authors can use various means to malware and infect devices and networks. Malicious programs can be delivered physically to a system through a USB drive or other storage devices or spread via the Internet through downloads from websites without the users’ approval or knowledge. Emails legitimate messages containing malicious links or attachments may also spread malware. spread disguised as Sophisticated malware attacks often have a link to a server controlled by a hacker, which can communicate with the infected system, steal sensitive data, and remotely control and compromise the device or server. Adware , or , is another type of program that shares common with malware, although it is distinctly different. Adware can be for users because these programs automatically deliver unwanted adverts and can degrade the performance of the device or system. However, adware does not generally have any malicious intent, in fact it is often used to help recover development costs for the software developer and reduce or eliminate the cost for the user. Only in some cases can it contain harmful or features that allow it to collect information without the user’s knowledge or consent. Adware advertising-supported software traits annoying threats Spam , or or , is not proper malware, but a medium through which malware can spread. It involves the bulk sending of messages, especially emails. Spam typically consists of email advertising sent to a mailing list or newsgroup . Spam junk mail junk newsgroup posting unsolicited 2 Bugs A is a in a program or source code human error. Security bugs are dangerous because they can allow hackers to bypass user authentication and steal data. Bugs can also be dangerous for host computers. bug flaw due to MORE The term was first used by computer scientist and security researcher Yisrael Radai in 1990. However, the first example of malware was the Creeper virus in 1971. 1 malware MORE Spam is a problem because, apart from wasting people’s time with unwanted emails, it consumes a lot of bandwidth. 2