E-training for personal data management and privacy

An antivirus program is software designed to protect a computer from malicious software (malware). Antivirus programs scan a computer's files for potential threats and try to prevent them from causing harm.

For example, in Windows 10, the Microsoft Defender protection program is enabled by default.

Malware is an acronym for "malicious software" and describes malicious software designed to perform unwanted or harmful actions on a computer, network, or mobile device. Malware can be developed and used by cybercriminals, hackers, or other malicious actors to access personal data and financial information, sabotage systems, or spy on users.

There are different types of malware, each of which has a specific function and uses different methods to cause harm. Here are some of the most common types of malware:

• Viruses
  Viruses are one of the oldest types of malware. They copy themselves into other programs and files and spread across a computer or network. When an infected program is run, the virus can cause damage, such as deleting files or paralyzing the system.
• Worms
  Worms are similar to viruses, but they do not require a host file to spread themselves. Instead, they use networks and vulnerabilities to replicate themselves and spread to other computers or networks. Once inside the system, worms can cause damage by, for example, consuming system resources or stealing important data.
• Trojans
  Trojans are malware that masquerade as legitimate software and then secretly perform malicious activities. For example, they may steal passwords, collect data, or download and install other malicious programs.
• Ransomware
  Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts files on a computer or network and then demands a ransom to restore access to the data. Ransomware can spread in a variety of ways, including email attachments, social engineering, or drive-by downloads.
• Adware
  Adware is malware designed to serve unwanted ads on a computer or mobile device. Adware is often bundled with free software downloads and can cause the system to slow down or leak personal information to third parties.

The way malware works varies depending on the type. Some types of malware can simply serve unwanted ads or slow down the system, while other types of malware can cause serious damage, such as deleting important files, stealing passwords, or taking control of the system. Malware can get onto a system in a number of ways, such as through email attachments, drive-by downloads, social engineering or by exploiting security vulnerabilities. It is important that users protect themselves from malware by using antivirus software, updating software, and watching for suspicious activity.