Types and Risks of Computer Security Threats

Understanding Various Computer Security Threats

While the internet offers incredible convenience, it also presents significant security challenges. Cybercriminals use diverse tactics to steal personal and business data, often demanding ransom or committing fraud. Both individuals and organizations must stay alert to online threats. This article highlights common cybersecurity risks that can compromise your computer or network, emphasizing the importance of protective measures.

Riskware
Riskware refers to malicious applications embedded within software, which hackers exploit to access networks discreetly.

Spam
Unwanted emails, known as spam, clutter inboxes and can harbor links leading to malware downloads, posing security risks.

Phishing
Cybercriminals craft fake emails resembling legitimate sources to trick users into revealing sensitive information, such as bank details or passwords.

Computer Worm
A self-replicating program that spreads rapidly without user intervention, infecting multiple systems swiftly. The Conficker worm, for instance, infected millions in days.

Computer Virus
Malicious software that propagates by infecting files and systems, potentially corrupting or deleting data, often via email attachments.

Trojan Horse
Disguised as trustworthy software, Trojans can log keystrokes or hijack webcams once installed, compromising privacy.

Spyware
Malicious programs that monitor user activity, often installed unknowingly through websites, emails, or file sharing.

Rootkit
A set of tools enabling unauthorized administrator access, often infecting systems via software vulnerabilities and capable of keylogging.

Rogue Security Software
Fake alerts prompting users to install fake security programs that actually introduce malware, deceiving users into compromising their systems.