Cryptolocker and Malware Scams
Malware, short for malicious software, is software used to disrupt computer operation, gather sensitive information, or gain access to private computer systems. It can appear in the form of code, scripts, active content, and other software. ‘Malware’ is a general term used to refer to a variety of forms of hostile or intrusive software. This type of software can be used to commit fraud on the victim.
Malware includes:
· Viruses which infect programs on your computer when they are opened,
· Ransomware which damages your system and offers to fix the problem if money is paid,
· Worms which actively infects your systems and network without user action,
· Trojan Horses is malicious software disguised as something innocent or desirable and so actively downloaded by the recipient,
· Rootkits is a malware that hides itself from the users anti-virus protection software,
· Keyloggers are malware that install themselves onto the computer and send back to the originator all key strokes made by the user in order to steal information,
· spyware,
· Rogue Security Software is malware that pretends to be a well-known security software update or warning which when opened by the user installs malicious software onto the computer and which might include ransomware, and
· several other types of malicious programs;