What do Viruses, Trojans, and Other Malware Actually Do?

Viruses: Before, any bad software is known as a virus; today the umbrella term is “malicious software,” and the virus is just one of its categories. Like a real virus, the malicious software under this category replicates itself in the computer memory. The virus not only replicates itself, but may also have malicious codes that can bring devastating effects on your files, master boot records, or operating system.

A virus always needs a human’s help to initiate itself. Most viruses attach themselves to executable .exe files. The virus knows that the user will run the .exe file, and that’s all it’s waiting for to happen so it can proceed with infecting the computer.

Trojans: Trojans program shows certain things in the foreground that appears useful, but the real deal is that the program is stealing valuable user information and/or bringing harm to the user’s computer. What appears to be good at first will turn out bad in the end.

Malware: When malicious software successfully entered your computer, it can do several things. There are times when its only goal is to replicate itself without causing any harm. There are also times when it does deplorable things.