Question

______ is any kind of unwanted software that is installed without your adequate consent.
1. Utility software
2. Spam
3. Firmware
4. Malware

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 4 : Malware

The correct answer is Malware.

• Malware is a blanket term for viruses, trojans, and other destructive computer programs threat actors use to infect systems and networks to gain access to sensitive information.
  • It is unwanted software that is installed without the adequate consent of the user.
  • Malware is a file or code, typically delivered over a network, that infects, explores, steals, or conducts virtually any behavior an attacker wants.
  • Malware usually has one of the following objectives:
    • Provide remote control for an attacker to use an infected machine.
    • Send spam from the infected machine to unsuspecting targets.
    • Investigate the infected user’s local network.
    • Steal sensitive data.

• Firmware is a software program or set of instructions programmed on a hardware device.
  • It provides the necessary instructions for how the device communicates with the other computer hardware. 
  • Firmware can be thought of as "semi-permanent" since it remains the same unless it is updated by a firmware updater.
• Utility software is system software designed to help analyze, configure, optimize or maintain a computer.
  • Utility software usually focuses on how the computer infrastructure (including the computer hardware, operating system, software, and data storage) operates. 
• Spam is any kind of unwanted, unsolicited digital communication that gets sent out in bulk.
  • Often spam is sent via email, but it can also be distributed via text messages, phone calls, or social media.