Information Technology Specialist (ITS) Cybersecurity Practice Exam 2025 – The All-in-One Guide to Mastering Cybersecurity Certification!

The term "malware" is best defined as malicious software intended to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to computer systems. Malware encompasses a wide range of harmful software types designed with malicious intent, including viruses, worms, trojan horses, ransomware, and spyware. The primary goal of malware is often to compromise the integrity and security of systems, steal sensitive information, or cause operational disruption.

Understanding that malware is specifically designed to harm or exploit, as opposed to legitimate software which serves constructive purposes, is crucial. For instance, antivirus and firewall software are specifically designed to protect against unauthorized access and malware, reflecting the purpose of option A but not classifying as malware itself. Option B, which mentions collecting personal data without consent, describes a subset of malware behaviors, particularly associated with spyware, but doesn’t encompass the full breadth of malware's intent and characteristics. Option D mischaracterizes malware, as it suggests enhancement features, which is contrary to the destructive nature of malware. Thus, option C accurately captures the essence of malware, emphasizing its destructive and unauthorized access objectives.