{"id":17881,"date":"2026-07-30T15:00:11","date_gmt":"2026-07-30T19:00:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.netwitness.com\/?post_type=glossary&p=17881"},"modified":"2026-07-30T15:28:55","modified_gmt":"2026-07-30T19:28:55","slug":"malware","status":"publish","type":"glossary","link":"https:\/\/www.netwitness.com\/ko\/cyber-glossary\/malware\/","title":{"rendered":"Malware"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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What is Malware?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Malware<\/span>\u00a0(short for\u00a0<\/span>malicious software<\/span>) is any software intentionally designed to disrupt systems, steal data, gain\u00a0<\/span>unauthorized<\/span>\u00a0access<\/span>, spy on users, or damage devices and networks. Cyber criminals use malware in a wide range of\u00a0<\/span>cyberattacks<\/span>, from phishing campaigns and\u00a0<\/span>social engineering<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>scams<\/span>\u00a0to sophisticated\u00a0<\/span>network attacks<\/span>\u00a0targeting enterprises. Understanding malware, its different forms, and effective\u00a0<\/span>malware protection<\/span> strategies is essential for safeguarding users, endpoints, applications, and critical business infrastructure.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

Malware is a broad term that covers any malicious program created to compromise the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of digital assets. Unlike legitimate software, malware is developed with harmful intent, whether\u00a0it’s\u00a0stealing credentials, encrypting files for ransom, enabling\u00a0network infiltration, or conducting\u00a0data espionage.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Modern malware has evolved significantly. Rather than simply infecting individual computers, today’s threats are designed to evade traditional security controls, spread laterally across networks, exfiltrate sensitive information, and\u00a0maintain\u00a0persistent access to compromised systems.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

A successful\u00a0malware attack\u00a0can result in:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>