Final answer:
Malware is malicious software intended to damage or disrupt systems. It includes viruses, which attach to programs; Trojans, disguised as legitimate software; spyware, which harvests personal data; and ransomware, demanding payment to decrypt data.
Step-by-step explanation:
Malware is malicious software designed to harm, exploit, or otherwise engage in unauthorized activity on a computer system. Here are four different kinds of malware:
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- Viruses: Code that replicates by attaching to other programs and can disrupt system functions or destroy data.
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- Trojans: Disguised as legitimate software, a Trojan provides a backdoor for unauthorized access to your system.
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- Spyware: Invasive software that collects personal information without consent, often for advertising purposes.
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- Ransomware: Software that encrypts data and demands payment for the decryption key, effectively holding the system hostage.