Network Security, Firewalls, and VPNs, 3rd Edition

Malicious Code (Malware)

Malware is the shortened term for malicious software. Malware is unethical code hackers write to cause harm and destruction. Malware gains access to a system in myriad ways, usually without the consent or knowledge of the user. The most common vectors of this computer contaminant are portable storage devices and Internet communications, like email or social media. A wide range of malware exists, including viruses, worms, Trojan horses, keystroke loggers, spyware, adware, rootkits, logic bombs, trapdoors, backdoors, dialers, URL injectors, and other exploits. The number of unique malicious code examples is astounding. Some recent research of malware attacks has estimated the potential number of unique signatures (strings ...