What is malware?

The word

"Malware" is a contraction of the English "malicious software." It's a generic term: it refers to an entire category of hostile programs, not one specific type.

The main families

• Virus: code that attaches itself to a file or legitimate program and spreads when it's run.
• Worm: spreads on its own from one machine to another, without any action needed.
• Trojan: poses as useful software to get installed, then operates behind the scenes.
• Ransomware: encrypts your files and demands a ransom to make them accessible again.
• Spyware: quietly collects information (passwords, browsing data).

These families sometimes overlap: a single piece of malware can combine several behaviors.

How it happens

Malware rarely gets in by magic. The most common vectors: a booby-trapped attachment or link in an email, a dubious download, an unpatched software vulnerability, or an already-compromised site. That's why human caution and updates matter just as much as technical safeguards.

What Hodi does

Several layers reduce the risk and limit the damage:

• our 24/7 monitoring detects abnormal behavior on the servers;
• a web application firewall (WAF) filters out some attempts before they succeed;
• security updates close the vulnerabilities exploited by malware;
• and above all, your out-of-country backups let you restore your data in the event of an attack, without being at the mercy of the attackers.

This last point is essential: when facing ransomware, a clean, isolated backup is often the best response.

What does this mean for you?

Hosting-level protection does a lot, but your own habits complete the picture: be wary of unexpected attachments and links, use strong passwords, and keep your applications up to date. Security is a chain: we hold several links, you hold others.

Updated on: 17/07/2026