What is malware? List and describe four things that malware can do to your computer.

What will be an ideal response?

Malware is any program that contains malicious code, and is intended to create problems on a computer or network.

Some of the things malware can do include:

* Create network traffic jam-generates traffic on LANs and the Internet; causes service to deteriorate as download time increases for files, Web pages, and email messages.
* Initiate a denial-of-Service (DoS) attack-floods servers with useless traffic to overwhelm the server's processing capability and stops all communications.
* Reconfigure a browser-blocks users from accessing certain Web sites; changes the home page setting for a computer, redirects browser to infected Web sites.
* Delete and modify files-deletes files on a hard drive; downloads unwanted files; modifies the Windows Registry
* Install ransomware-ransomware encrypts files, then demands payment for the decryption key.
* Access confidential information-steals passwords and credit card numbers; sends spam to everyone in your email address book or your instant messaging buddy list.
* Disable antivirus and firewall software-leaves your system vulnerable to even more malware.
* Control your computer-propagates malware; allows hackers to access data on your computer remotely; turns a computer into a zombie.
* Degrade performance-forces a computer to perform more slowly than normal; sends annoying messages or pop-ups.