Malware (malicious software) is a program or code designed to cause harm to a computer system. In social engineering, malware is used to trick users into installing and executing malicious code. It is often distributed through email attachments, deceptive links, malicious downloads, or fake websites.
Example:
Sarah receives an urgent email requesting immediate action. The email seems to be from a colleague and contains an attachment named “Client_Contract.docx”. Sarah opens the attachment and unknowingly executes a virus into her computer.
Prevention Tips:
- Verify the sender’s identity.
- Hover over links before opening them to see the URL.
- Be wary of urgency.