Malware- Software intended to cause harm or damage to a computer or network.

Malware,
short for malicious software, refers to any intrusive software developed by cybercriminals (often
called hackers) to steal data and damage or destroy computers and computer systems.
What are the common malware examples and types?
10 Common Malware Examples and Types
1. Viruses
2. Worms
3. Fileless Malware
4. Spyware
5. Adware
6. Trojans
7. Rootkits
8. Ransomware
9. Keyloggers
10. Botnets
What was the first virus developed by a Filipino student?
ILOVEYOU works via email, specifically via a malicious email attachment. ILOVEYOU virus
was an attachment posing as a seemingly harmlessly text file, cleverly disguised as a VBScript
program — LOVE-LETTER-FOR-YOU.txt.vbs attachment. The hidden visibility of the .vbs
extension on their computers tricked Windows users into thinking it was a regular text file. When
the affected user opens the attachment, their action instantly downloads the worm into their
system without their knowledge and starts spreading it across the network.
A Filipino computer programmer named Onel de Guzman designed and unleashed the
“ILOVEYOU” virus. He incorporated the virus into the source code he submitted for his final
thesis while studying as an undergraduate computer student at the AMA Computer College. But
the original goal of ILOVEYOU wasn’t to cause unwarranted destruction of the victim’s
computer. In his thesis draft, Onel de Guzman outlined his program’s objective of acquiring
Windows passwords and extracting internet accounts stored on the victim’s computer. The
“ILOVEYOU” virus, which he developed, was designed to fulfill these goals.
During that period, internet access in the Philippines involved paying for dial-up connectivity
based on usage duration, which differed significantly from the flat-rate charges prevalent in
many European and American regions. De Guzman conceived the notion that individuals in
developing nations could leverage users’ connections in wealthier countries, enabling them to
enjoy extended internet usage without incurring any expenses. The worm adopted the very
principles outlined in de Guzman’s undergraduate thesis.
In total, it is estimated that the ILOVEYOU virus caused $15 billion in damages worldwide.
Although the ILOVEYOU virus is no longer active, it serves as an example of how quickly
malicious code can spread across the internet and cause widespread damage.
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Signs of a malware infection
If you’ve noticed any of the following, you may have malware on your device:

 A slow, crashing, or freezing computer

 The infamous ‘blue screen of death’
 Programs opening and closing automatically or altering themselves.
 Lack of storage space
 Increased pop-ups, toolbars, and other unwanted programs
 Emails and messages being sent without you initiating them.

How to prevent malware

 Keep your computer and software updated.

 Use a non-administrator account whenever possible.
 Think twice before clicking links or downloading anything.
 Be careful about opening email attachments or images.
 Don't trust pop-up windows that ask you to download software.
 Limit your file-sharing.
 Use antivirus software.