With technology at the forefront of the 21st century, it can be easy to become overwhelmed with the number of technical terms that people expect you to know. Some people prefer to simply browse the internet then call it a day whilst others like to know the ins and outs of how their computer works. But if you work in web development, is it vital to understand the various types of attacks your website could come under, and the types of malicious files hackers may try to get you to download. Take a look at our quick guide to the different types of computer malware below.

Trojans

With a name derived from Greek Mythology, this type of malware is often hidden behind a decoy file or disguised as a programme that looks useful to deter you from questioning its intention. Usually, a PC will become infected by a trojan through a file or attachment, which could delete files, destroy information, or allow outsiders to access the system whilst you are unaware there is even a problem.

Worms

As a standalone type of malware, worms are often spread through emails and network connections. In fact, they tend to be found as email attachments and when the attachment is opened, the worm malware is installed. Once this happens, it can spread by auto-attaching itself to emails and make your system more vulnerable to hackers by opening backdoors. Worryingly, worms do not need any human interaction and replicate themselves by sending out thousands of copies of themselves in email attachments without your knowledge. 

Spyware

This type of malware is exactly what is says on the tin; it spies on your computer activity and collates together information like usernames, passwords, and banking information. It can even track the websites you visit! Spyware tends to be hidden inside deliberate installations so when it infects your system, you don’t even know it is there. Whilst the information is often used for advertising, it can cause a computer to become slow and unresponsive. In addition to this, spyware can also be used with malicious intentions so it is important that you only download applications from trusted sites.

Viruses

Just like a biological virus in a human, a computer virus passes from one system to another, but they cannot reproduce on their own like worm malware can. They tend to have a host such as a document or application which are downloaded at the same time. 

Malware is one of the most dangerous threats to your operating system which is why it is important to stay vigilant. Viruses and other malicious programmes can be troublesome to remove once they have managed to successfully infiltrate your PC, so you should always have a high-quality antivirus installed that can protect you from even the smartest threats.

If you’re looking for high-quality web development services to help you identify and remove potential malware, get in touch with us today!