Malware
From Computing and Software Wiki
Malicious software (malware) encompasses a broad range of software typically designed to covertly operate and deceive users to hide its actual purpose. It can be used as a catch-all phrase for software that has been programmed for malicious purposes intentionally; software such as viruses, worms, spyware, and botnets. Its purpose varies, but ultimately comes down to three categories; malware is created to generate profit, to cause harm, to gain popularity, or a combination.
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Malware history
Before computers were accessible to the general public, malware was not an overwhelming threat. Starting sometime in the 1970's computers became somewhat more common, and as a direct result, so did malicious software. At this time, viruses started to appear on networks such as ARPANET, gaining popularity into the 1980's with the explosion of person computers. Early malware was typically less of a threat, created by programmers who were trying to prank other users, rather than the typical malware created for todays society.
Malware purposes
Obtaining sensitive information
Blurb about stealing information
Obtaining financial returns
Blurb about generating profit
Cause harm or data loss
No real purpose
Blurb about some malware purpose is just to see how well it works, having no purpose at all
- Viruses
