Infection vector

In computer science, an infection vector, also known as an attack vector, is a path through which malicious software, such as a virus or malware, enters a computer, smartphone, or other device. It is used by attackers to gain access and control of a system and potentially spread the malicious software to other devices in a network.

Infection vectors can be divided into two main categories: external vectors and internal vectors. External vectors refer to threats that originate from outside of the system, such as malware downloaded from the internet, email attachments, and malicious websites. Internal vectors refer to threats that originate from the computer system itself, such as flaws or misconfigured hardware or software.

Infection vectors are commonly exploited by cybercriminals to gain access to computer systems and personal data. Depending on the type of attack, infection vectors may be used to download and execute malicious code, steal data, or spread the malicious software to other devices.

Protecting against infection vectors requires strong network security measures, such as the use of firewalls, antivirus software, and secure authentication protocols. It is also important to keep computer systems and devices up to date with the latest security patches and software updates.