---
title: "What is Malware? and How Malware Works ?"  
description: "What is Malware? and How Malware Works ?"  
author: "Sanat Shukla"  
published: 2018-09-11  
canonical: https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/49734/what-is-malware-and-how-malware-works  
category: "software"  
tags: ["software security"]  
reading_time: 1 minute  

---

# What is Malware? and How Malware Works ?

## Answers

### Answer by Shriyam Srivastava

[Malware](https://www.mindstick.com/articles/12717/malware-ransom-ware-and-spyware-and-its-effects) is any harmful [software](https://www.mindstick.com/articles/23272/why-software-localization-is-important-for-your-business) that interrupts the working of the electronic system by manipulating or disrupting the normal functioning of the system. Any device that has [computing](https://www.mindstick.com/blog/302791/artificial-intelligence-and-machine-learning-the-future-of-computing) [capabilities](https://www.mindstick.com/interview/490/explain-the-concepts-and-capabilities-of-assembly-in-dot-net) could be affected by this type of software.

### It works in the following ways:

• By self-replicating itself in different parts of the system • Installing those [applications](https://www.mindstick.com/articles/12847/how-to-choose-the-right-ethernet-cable-for-industrial-applications) or links that would slow down the working of the system • Blocking the access to files or the system • Forcing the user to make [payment](https://www.mindstick.com/blog/300135/ways-fast-payments-changed-the-world) to access his system • Ad bombardment • Breaking system [components](https://www.mindstick.com/interview/604/what-are-the-components-of-struts) • By claiming to [convert](https://www.mindstick.com/blog/698/convert-text-document-to-pdf-file) files, unzip files, or through caller ID. \
Malware could be triggered by a user’s click, link, or pop-up. It initiates to make unauthorized changes in the system like monitoring [user behavior](https://www.mindstick.com/articles/337703/how-search-engines-adapt-to-user-behavior-explain-in-detail), displaying pop-ups, changing [search engine](https://www.mindstick.com/articles/12599/search-engine-marketing-importance) results, adding icons to a desktop, or redirecting popular sites. \

### Some types of malware are:

• Virus • Trojan horse • Spyware • Logic bombs \


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Original Source: https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/49734/what-is-malware-and-how-malware-works

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