October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. For week four CSU, Chico’s Information Security is focusing on malware.

Malware: Malware is short for malicious software, it is a software that is specifically designed to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to a computer system.

Viruses: A computer virus is a form of malicious software that piggy backs onto code in order to spread and reproduce itself. It is deployed by an attacker to damage or take control of a computer.

Trojan: A Trojan is a type of malware that disguises itself as legitimate software to gain access into the users system.

Spyware: Spyware is software that enables a user to obtain convert information about computer activity by transmitting data covertly from their hard drive.

ISEC has recommendations for avoiding all types of malware on their web page. Please read this information about malware and follow along each week of Cybersecurity Month to stay safer and more secure online.