Which of the following are considered main types of malware?

• A. Firewalls, Encryption, VPN, Proxy
• B. Viruses, Worms, Trojans, Ransomware
• C. Auditing, Monitoring, Reporting, Testing
• D. Scanners, Load Balancers, Filters, Routers

Answer: (B)

The main types of malware include viruses, worms, trojans, and ransomware because they are all malicious software specifically designed to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to computer systems.

Viruses are pieces of code that attach themselves to legitimate programs and spread from one computer to another, often causing harm or to corrupt files. Worms are similar but can replicate themselves and spread independently over networks, consuming bandwidth and resources. Trojans disguise themselves as legitimate software but carry harmful payloads, often allowing unauthorized access to the user’s system. Ransomware encrypts files on a victim's system and demands payment for their release, effectively holding data hostage.

The other options consist of network security tools and practices but do not fall under the category of malware. Firewalls and encryption are protective measures designed to secure systems against malware, while auditing, monitoring, and reporting are related to security practices that help maintain system integrity. Scanners, load balancers, filters, and routers are components of network infrastructure that manage and direct traffic rather than being malware types themselves.