Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Cybersecurity Practice Test

Which type of malware can hijack user data and send it to unauthorized parties?

1. Spyware

2. Worm

3. Trojan Horse

4. Adware

The correct answer is: Spyware

Spyware is a type of malware specifically designed to infiltrate systems and collect sensitive information without the user's consent. This can include personal data such as login credentials, financial information, and browsing habits. Once the spyware has gathered this information, it sends it to unauthorized parties, often for malicious purposes, such as identity theft or unauthorized access to accounts. The characteristics of spyware make it particularly concerning for users, as it operates stealthily in the background, recording user activity while remaining largely undetected. This contrasts with other types of malware like worms, which are primarily self-replicating and do not usually focus on stealing information, or Trojan horses, which often disguise themselves as legitimate software but may not specifically target user data for exfiltration. Adware, while it can collect data for advertising purposes, does not inherently steal sensitive information and is usually more focused on delivering unwanted advertisements to the user.