Malicious Software

Question 1

trojan (software)

Answer 1

Malicious software that seems to perform a desirable function for the user but instead facilitates unauthorized access to the user’s computer system.

Example: news article about major storm installs software to slow computer down

Question 2

worm (computer program)

Answer 2

A self-replicating computer program that sends copies of itself to other computers.

Example: a document which when opened changes files on a computer and sends itself to all of the users contacts

Question 3

virus (computer program)

Answer 3

A malicious computer program that infects a file.

Example: virus installs itself on a laptop then onto the computer’s OS

Question 4

antivirus (software)

Answer 4

Software that monitors a computer or network to identify all major types of malware and prevent or contain malware incidents.

Question 5

malware

Answer 5

Short for the term “malicious software.” It’s an umbrella term used to refer the various types of viruses, worms and trojans, etc.

Question 6

ransomware (malware)

Answer 6

Vicious malware that locks users out of their devices or blocks access to files until a sum of money or ransom is paid.

How it works: encrypts files which locks out users

Question 7

rootkit (code)

Answer 7

Malicious code that loads into the early loading stages of a computer.

The code hides itself from the operating system and other applications that load in the later stages, like antivirus and system utilities. This gives the bad guy full access to alter the system.

Question 8

botnet (software robots)

Answer 8

A collection of software robots that live on infected computers and are controlled by the bad guys.

Example: Botnets do many bad things like spew out spam, attack other computers, or send back confidential data to the botnet controller.