Editing Computer security (section)

==== Types of malware ====
* [[Computer virus|'''Viruses''']] are a specific type of malware, and are normally a malicious code that hijacks software with the intention to "do damage and spread copies of itself." Copies are made with the aim to spread to other programs on a computer.<ref name="Malware-IBM" /> 
* [[Computer worm|'''Worms''']] are similar to viruses, however viruses can only function when a user runs (opens) a compromised program. Worms are self-replicating malware that spread between programs, apps and devices ''without'' the need for human interaction.<ref name="Malware-IBM" />
* [[Trojan horse (computing)|'''Trojan horses''']] are programs that pretend to be helpful or hide themselves within desired or legitimate software to "trick users into installing them." Once installed, a [[Remote Access Trojan|RAT (Remote Access Trojan)]] can create a secret backdoor on the affected device to cause damage.<ref name="Malware-IBM" />
* '''[[Spyware]]''' is a type of malware that secretly gathers information from an infected computer and transmits the sensitive information back to the [[Hacker|attacker]]. One of the most common forms of spyware are [[Keystroke logging|keyloggers]], which record all of a user's keyboard inputs/keystrokes, to "allow hackers to harvest usernames, passwords, bank account and credit card numbers."<ref name="Malware-IBM" />
* '''[[Scareware]]''', as the name suggests, is a form of [[malware]] which uses [[Social engineering (security)|social engineering]] (manipulation) to scare, [[Acute stress reaction|shock]], trigger [[anxiety]], or suggest the perception of a threat in order to manipulate users into buying or installing [[Potentially unwanted program|unwanted software]]. These attacks often begin with a "sudden pop-up with an urgent message, usually warning the user that they've broken the law or their device has a virus."<ref name="Malware-IBM" />
* '''[[Ransomware]]''' is when malware installs itself onto a victim's machine, encrypts their files, and then turns around and demands a ransom (usually in [[Bitcoin]]) to return that data to the user.