Harmful software

Malware comes in many forms and can harm computers and steal information. Common types of malware include viruses, trojans, worms, rootkits, and spyware. Viruses replicate and spread while infecting files. Trojans seem innocuous but delete or corrupt files once installed. Worms spread automatically between devices without needing files. Rootkits hide other malware to gain access and attack. Spyware secretly monitors users' online activity without permission to collect personal information. Users should be aware of malware's threats and symptoms to protect their devices and privacy.