MALWARE, ADWARE, SPAM AND BUGS
Malware, short form for malicious software, refers to a variety of malicious programs that can be
used to compromise computer functions, steal data, bypass access controls and monitor users'
activity, and even damage hardware. Malware can be classified into the following broad
categories:
malicious programs, which compromise computer functions, damage or destroy data,
damage hardware or facilitate malicious attacks
crimeware, which are programs to steal money or sensitive data
mobile malware, which are specific threats for mobile devices
network threats, which are attacks carried out to affect data transmission or intercept
data.
Malware authors can use a variety of means to spread malware and infect devices and
networks. Malicious programs can be delivered physically to a system through a USB drive or
other storage devices, spread via the Internet through downloads from websites without
users' approval or knowledge, through emails disguised as legitimate messages which contain
malicious links, or through attachments that contain executable malware. Sophisticated
malware attacks often have a link with a server controlled by a hacker which can communicate
with the infected system, take sensitive data and control and compromise the device or server
remotely.
Adware, or advertising-supported software, is another type of program that shares common
traits with malware, although it is distinctly different. Adware can be annoying for the users
because these programs automatically deliver unwanted adverts and can degrade the
performance of the device or system. However, adware does not generally have any malicious
intent to harm users or their systems, in fact it is used to help recover development costs for
the software developer and reduce or eliminate the cost for the user. Only in some cases it can
contain harmful threats or spyware-like features that collect information without the user's
knowledge or consent.
Spam, or junk mail or junk newsgroup posting, is the electronic sending of mass unsolicited
messages, especially emails. It is not proper malware, but a medium through which malware
can spread. It is generally email advertising sent to a mailing list or newsgroup Spam is a
problem because, apart from wasting people's time with unwanted email, it consumes a lot of
bandwidth. Unfortunately, as the Internet is public, there is not much that can be done to
prevent spam.
A bug is a flaw in a program or source code due to human error. Security bugs are dangerous
because they can allow hackers to bypass user authentication and steal data. Moreover, bugs
can also be dangerous for host computers.
TRADUZIONE
Malware, forma abbreviata per software maligno, si riferisce a una varietà di programmi
maligni che possono essere utilizzati per compromettere le funzioni del computer, rubare dati,
aggirare i controlli di accesso e monitorare l'attività degli utenti, e persino danneggiare
l'hardware. Il malware può essere classificato nelle seguenti grandi categorie:
