What is Malware?

Common Types of Malware

Malware is an incredibly broad category, actually spanning a variety of attack vectors and including a range of motives behind the attacks. Some forms of malware are quiet killers, breaking into a system and existing in the shadows. Others announce themselves, shutting down company systems and demanding payment.

Below are the most common types of malware you should be aware of.

Ransomware

Ransomware encrypts critical business assets and demands a payment for the decryption keys. There was a 53% increase in victim data posted to ransomware sites in 2025, demonstrating how prevalent this vector still is. While ransomware can be developed and launched as an independent malicious campaign, the rise of ransomware-as-a-service models is making this an accessible vector for cybercriminals.

Wipers

Wipers are destructive payloads that are created specifically to destroy or corrupt enterprise data systems. As this isn’t a profitable attack vector for malicious groups, wipers are mainly used in state-sponsored espionage or as a part of cyberterrorism.

Infostealers

Infostealers are pieces of software that aim to extract credentials, MFA tokens, or other sensitive data from devices. They mainly lay the foundations for further attacks by giving malicious groups the information they need to log into a privileged account and gain access.

Spyware and Keyloggers

Spyware and keyloggers are both monitoring tools that log information while a user interacts with their device. Spyware may log information such as the internet pages someone navigates to and what their login credentials are. A keylogger captures every keystroke that a person makes on a device, often gathering passwords and usernames over a long period of time.

Adware

Once on a device, adware continually delivers unwanted advertising payloads via pop-ups or browser redirects. These reduce system performance, may cause a user to navigate to a malicious website, and make a device extremely difficult to use.

Malvertising and Scareware

Malvertising is where groups embed malicious code into legitimate advertising networks. When a user navigates to the webpage of one of these ads, this code will execute, potentially downloading more damaging software onto a device.

Scareware is where popups appear on a device or browser that claim a virus is active on a computer (or similar), attempting to trick the user into taking action and clicking a malicious link.

Cryptomining Malware

Cryptomining malware is where a device is hijacked and used for its computing resources. Malicious groups will use the compute power of infected devices to mine cryptocurrency, making them completely unresponsive.

Viruses

Viruses are any self-replicating malicious payloads that attach to legitimate files and then execute when clicked on. Once active, they corrupt the computer system, spreading throughout a device and potentially its connected network.

Worms

Worms are a form of virus that self-replicate without the need for a human to click on the file they’re attached to in order to begin duplicating. They’re more damaging than viruses due to this feature and are able to expand to consume large-scale networks quickly.

Trojans

Trojans are malicious payloads that disguise themselves as legitimate applications or software. Once a user downloads these seemingly normal packages and installs them, the trojan then enters the system and typically tries to create a remote access pathway to deliver more malware.

Botnet Malware

A botnet is a huge network of compromised devices that a malicious group controls and directs at certain businesses. For example, Direct Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks use botnets to overwhelm servers. Botnet malware is the infectious payload that corrupts a device, adding it to the botnet with remote access capabilities.

IoT Malware

Internet of Things (IoT) malware is an extension of botnet malware but built to specifically target IoT devices, like security cameras, sensors, or other devices with an internet connection. As IoT devices typically have poor security controls, they’re an easy target to add to bot networks.

Rootkits

Rootkits are a form of malware that is extremely difficult to detect, hiding and operating at a low level within a device. Often, they hide at a deep OS level, remaining practically invisible while providing a route for unauthorized access for malicious actors.

Fileless Malware

Fileless malware works within a computer’s memory instead of on its hard drive. By operating in this environment, it’s able to execute malicious actions like encrypting files or exfiltrating data without alerting typical cybersecurity systems. They use script-based attacks, like running in PowerShell, to fly under the radar.

Mobile Malware

Mobile malware is any malware that operates on a mobile device.

POS Malware

Point-of-sale malware is software that infects payment terminals and cash registers to steal financial information during routine payments. They harvest data before it is encrypted, capturing it before typical financial data protection standards are able to activate.

Logic Bombs

Logic bombs are dormant pieces of malicious code that activate and cause damage once certain conditions are met. For example, a payload might trigger on a certain date or if a specific file is accessed.

AI-Powered and Polymorphic Malware

Polymorphic malware is any malware that continuously mutates its code signatures to avoid detection. These are becoming much more common due to the availability of AI tools, as AI allows for rapid and unexpected mutation at scale.

Hybrid Threats

Hybrid threats are where malicious groups employ several different vectors at once to break through company defenses. For example, a group may use a Trojan to access a business and deliver a worm, which then distributes ransomware across a computer network. Malware threats rarely operate in isolation, as additional layers make them harder to detect and prevent.

Build a Better Security Posture with Check Point Workspace Security

Endpoints are routinely a primary target for numerous forms of malware, with everything from ransomware and infostealers to polymorphic threats, malicious groups use company devices as initial access points. Traditional endpoint security often fails to protect against these threats, as they mutate in real time and operate in unexpected ways.

Check Point Endpoint Security offers a unified, prevention-first approach to endpoint security. By combining XDR, EDR, and EPP capabilities into a single platform, Workspace Security endpoint gives you full control and visibility across your cybersecurity environment. You can identify threats before they execute, detect malicious behavior in real time, and respond to any breaches with effective preventive measures.

Powered by ThreatCloud AI, Check Point Endpoint Security offers advanced protection against zero-day malware, credential theft, ransomware, and an extensive range of other attack techniques. It automates up to 90% of attack detection, investigation, and remediation, reducing manual burden while improving security. With full-scale data protection, risk reduction, and holistic defenses, Check Point Endpoint Security can help secure your environment from malware threats.

Learn more about the latest cybersecurity trends in the Check Point Cyber Security Report for 2026, or discover how Check Point keeps your business safe by requesting a demo today.