What is malware designed to do?

Malware, short for malicious software, is specifically designed to harm, disrupt, or gain unauthorized access to computer systems and networks. It encompasses various types of harmful software, including viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware, and spyware, all of which share the common purpose of damaging, disabling, or compromising the integrity of computing devices and the data they handle.

Understanding the functions of malware highlights its detrimental effects—such as corrupting data, stealing sensitive information, or even causing entire systems to fail. This is critical for both individuals and organizations, as acknowledging the threat posed by malware informs their security measures and strategies to protect vital information and maintain operational integrity.

The other options address goals that do not align with malware’s primary purpose. For instance, enhancing computer performance would be a feature of optimization software, and protection against cyber attacks and facilitating data recovery refer to protective measures and recovery solutions, which are fundamentally opposed to the malicious intent inherent in malware.