Most everyone who is a regular computer user has become familiar with malware over the years. Malware is short for malicious software. These malicious softwares are designed and operated to infiltrate a user's computer and cause some kind of harm to the computer. The most common kinds of malware are viruses, worms, trojans, and rootkits.
Computer viruses are probably the most common case of malware. A computer virus will find a way to infiltrate a computer's security, and once the security is breached it will alter the way a computer operates without consent from the user. Once a worm finds a way into a computer it will repeatedly copy itself onto the computer's memory or network. Then you could imagine the effects the user feels from the worm's constant replication. It could use up all available memory, therefore slowing down the computer immensely or maybe even shutting the computer down altogether. Both viruses and worms will eventually spread from computer to computer but the trojan malware only affects a single computer and will not spread to others. The trojan will present itself as a harmless program, therefore tricking the computer into allowing it access. Another type of popular malware is the rootkit. Once a rootkit is installed onto a computer it allows a user from a remote location to basically control the infected computer.
Malware is a huge concern for a user when thinking about the health of their computer and the privacy of important information; but usually if a user takes proper care of their computer this problem can be stifled. A user should make proper updates to security often, and install a firewall and reputable anti-malware program.
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