What is the most common type of malware?

The most common type of malware is often considered to be a worm. Worms are self-replicating programs that spread from one computer to another without the need for human interaction. Their ability to propagate rapidly across networks makes them particularly prevalent in the malware landscape. Unlike other malware types, worms can exploit vulnerabilities in software and operating systems to access and infect multiple devices, often leading to significant damage and data loss.

In this context, other malware types still pose significant threats but they serve different purposes. Trojans disguise themselves as legitimate software to trick users into installing them, while spyware gathers information without the user's consent, potentially leading to identity theft and privacy violations. Adware, on the other hand, primarily focuses on displaying advertisements and generating revenue, which can be invasive but does not have the same level of impact as worms. The self-propagating nature of worms solidifies their status as one of the most widespread forms of malware.