What Is Malicious Code?

Malicious code can pose a wide range of security threats. It works by infecting your computer with unwanted files, programs or lines of code that can impede its ability to function. It can also steal your data or carry out commands by running malicious scripts without detection.

Malicious code can also lock down your computer, allow cybercriminals to gain remote access to it or otherwise impact its ability to work properly. Chances are that you’ve used a computer infected by one of these viruses and have firsthand experience with the frustration they can cause. When multiple computers in an organization’s network have been infected, malicious files can have a significant impact on productivity and output.

Malicious code can be used to steal private information like passwords and payment profiles, or enable identity theft. It can be introduced by a seemingly innocent email attachment or link sent by a hacker in a phishing attack targeting a broad population, or a spear phishing attack targeting one person.

But cybercriminals do not limit their targets to individuals. The impact of cyberattacks may be worse when companies and their computer systems, often holding great amounts of data, come under threat. Malicious code attacks can be used to break into an organization’s data systems and result in security breaches that put sensitive customer data at risk. Cybercriminals sometimes use botnets (networks of hijacked computer devices) to distribute malware, crash servers or steal data.

The wide variety of malicious code types makes it even more important to understand how each type works and how you and cyber security professionals can safeguard computers, networks and sensitive information.

Here are a few examples of malicious code and what they do:

While many people are still wondering “What is malicious code?” those involved in the cybersecurity world know the answer all too well. In fact, according to Av-Test.org, there are currently more than 1 billion pieces of malware installed around the world.

Common targets for malicious code encompass large-scale components like computer networking infrastructure and small components like mobile or desktop apps. Any device that uses a computer to operate it can be infected. The connectivity found in everything from the smart IoT devices many of us have in our homes, to network devices like routers, modems and servers, to desktop and laptop computers can create a “gateway” for bad actors who exploit its vulnerabilities.

Even if you’re not a cyber security professional, there are plenty of steps that you can take to help keep yourself safe from malicious code while you’re online, including: