Application
Security
Application security consists of using
software, hardware, and procedures to protect computer programs and
applications from threats. Threats include various
forms of malware such as viruses, spyware, and adware.
According to the California
Department of Justice (California DOJ), malware, which is
short for "malicious software," is a program designed or used to gain unauthorized access to a computer
system. Malware can be used to access data, control a targeted system, or
both.
A common type of malware program
used to access data is key logging,
which is malware that tracks a user's keyboard strokes. Once installed, the
malware can record keystrokes made on a computer, allowing attackers to see
passwords, credit card numbers, and other confidential data.