Malware Flashcards
What is malware short for?
Malicious software
Give 9 examples of malware
Computer Virus Trojan Spyware Adware Pharming Click fraud Ransomware Rootkits Scareware
What is a virus?
A piece of code that is designed to replicate itself throughout the computer or network
What is a virus usually designed to do?
To delete or corrupt data
What is a worm?
It behaves just like a virus, but does not harm files. Instead, it tries to copy itself so many times that the whole system runs out of resources and crashes
What is a trojan?
A trojan appears to be a harmless application. You use it, but meanwhile it is running in the background it maybe letting someone else access to your computer
What is adware?
This malware can force your browser to display unwanted pop-up advertisements. It can also cause pages that you didn’t request to open up taking you to unwanted web sites
What is click fraud?
Uses your computer resources to open certain web sites and send a mouse click to the adverts. Every click makes them money
What is pharming?
Pharming malware will infect your browser, redirecting you to an identical looking, but fake website
How does pharming work?
It tells your browser to look for a different IP address to the genuine site to that of the fake website
What is spyware?
Spyware stays hidden out of view and is designed to spy on your computer, looking for personal information, passwords and so on
How does spyware work?
Using a key logger to record every key pressed on the keyboard. It might also take screen shots. This information is then sent secretly over the internet to the criminals
What is ransomware?
Ransomware encrypts critical files and data, making them unusable. Eventually it presents the user with a ransom, demanding money be sent to the attackers to unlock the system
What is scareware?
Scareware will cause a pop-up to appear on your screen which will say something like ‘Your computer has a virus. To clear the problem please purchase this software’, and a link is provided in the pop-up (often containing malware)
What is rootkits?
Rootkits give other people permissions and access to your computer, allowing them to take it over remotely and do whatever they like
