CompTIA Security+™: Review Guide, Second Edition

3.1 Analyze and differentiate among types of malware

Malicious code is any element of software that performs an unwanted or undesired function from the perspective of the legitimate user or owner of a computer system. Malicious code includes viruses, worms, Trojan horses, spyware, adware, rootkits, botnets, logic bombs, and sometimes even spam.

Adware

Adware is a variation on the idea of spyware (discussed later in this section). Adware displays pop-up advertisements to users based on their activities, URLs they have visited, applications they have accessed, and so on. Adware is used to target advertisements to prospective customers. Unfortunately, most adware products arrive on client systems without the knowledge or consent of the user. Thus, ...