[10] IMPACT OF MALWARE ON COMPUTER SYSTEMS, ORGANIZATIONS AND DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE

ARTICLE INFO: Date of Submission: May 27, 2022, Revised: June 21, 2022, Accepted: June 30, 2022, https://doi.org/10.56815/ijmrr.v1i2.2022.84-92

Abstract

The rapid development and widespread adoption of digital technologies have increased the dependence of individuals, organizations, educational institutions, healthcare systems, financial institutions, and government agencies on computer systems and interconnected networks. This growing dependence has also increased exposure to computer viruses and other forms of malware. This study examines the major impacts of computer viruses and malware on modern computer systems and organizations. The study focuses on data integrity, loss of data availability, unauthorized access, confidential information theft, financial losses, degradation of system performance, business and organizational disruption, and privacy violations. Malware can modify or destroy important information, restrict access to critical resources, provide unauthorized remote access, steal sensitive information, and generate significant financial and operational consequences. The effects can extend beyond individual computers to organizational networks, digital supply chains, critical infrastructure, healthcare services, educational institutions, and government systems. The study also emphasizes the importance of preventive, detection, response, backup, access-control, monitoring, employee-awareness, and cybersecurity-risk-management mechanisms. Effective cybersecurity practices are essential for protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information resources and for improving organizational resilience against evolving malware threats.