182k views
3 votes
What is the common name for the group of software to which viruses, worms, and spyware belong?

1) Malware
2) Adware
3) Ransomware
4) Trojan

1 Answer

5 votes

Final answer:

The common term for viruses, worms, and spyware is 'malware.' Malware includes any software designed to damage or exploit systems and comes in various forms, each with unique methods of infection and impact.

Step-by-step explanation:

The common name for the group of software to which viruses, worms, and spyware belong is malware. This term is a contraction of 'malicious software,' which is software designed to harm or exploit any programmable device or network. Viruses, worms, and spyware are all types of malware that can cause damage to your computer, steal sensitive information, or perform other harmful actions without the user's consent. These types of malware have distinct characteristics:

  • A virus attaches itself to a program or file enabling it to spread from one computer to another, leaving infections as it travels.
  • A worm is similar to a virus but can spread itself without needing to be attached to an existing program.
  • Spyware is software that secretly gathers user information through the user's Internet connection without them knowing.

User Oleksandr Yefremov
by
7.4k points