Which of the following is a common type of malware?

A virus is a common type of malware that can be defined as a self-replicating program designed to spread to other computers and disrupt their normal operation. Viruses often attach themselves to legitimate files and are activated when the host file is executed. Once activated, a virus can damage or delete files, steal sensitive information, and compromise system integrity.

In the context of cybersecurity, recognizing that a virus is a form of malware is crucial because it highlights the potential threats that can exploit vulnerabilities in systems and networks. Conversely, tools like firewalls and email filters serve as security measures designed to prevent malware infections rather than being types of malware themselves. A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is related to secure communication over the internet and does not fall into the malware category either. Understanding the nature of a virus as malware reinforces the importance of implementing protective strategies against such threats in order to safeguard sensitive data and ensure robust cybersecurity measures.