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What is malware and what are the different types

Malware is any software designed to harm your device or steal your information. Viruses, trojans, ransomware, spyware, and adware are all types with different methods and goals.

Malware is the umbrella term for any bad software. The main types are: viruses (self-replicating code), trojans (disguised as legitimate software), ransomware (encrypts your files and demands money), spyware (silently collects your data), and adware (shows unwanted ads). Each type behaves differently and has different warning signs. Understanding them helps you know what happened and what to do about it.

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