1.8.2 Malware

Question 1

Viruses and worms

Answer 1

Viruses:
Small pieces of code injected into other programs which spread from computer to computer.
Worms:
Small pieces of code which spread across a network, similar to viruses but without a host program.

Question 2

Trojan horses and ransomware

Answer 2

Trojan horses:
Any form of malware which tricks the user into installing it by pretending to be a different program.
Ransomware:
Encrypts files on an infected system and only decrypts files once a payment has been made to the hacker.`

Question 3

Spyware, rootkits and backdoors

Answer 3

Spyware:
Gathers information about a user by tracking their activity.
Rootkits:
Malware which modifies the computer’s operating system to avoid detection by antivirus software.
Backdoors:
Malware which opens up an access channel to a computer that other malware can use to take over the machine.

Question 4

How Malware Spreads - Replication

Answer 4

Once one device on a network has been infected with a worm or a virus, then it becomes very easy for it to spread to other devices on the network.
The process of spreading to other computers is called self-replication.

Question 5

How Malware Spreads - Attachments

Answer 5

Opening attachments in emails such as Word and Excel documents can include ‘macros’.
A macro is a small program that is given permission to run on the computer.
The macros can be set up to install malware.

Question 6

How Malware Spreads

Answer 6

Users often willingly install malware if they are tricked into thinking that they are installing a different piece of software.
Common ‘disguises’ for malware include:
Security updates.
Software drivers.