_____, trap doors, or viruses are programs or files introduced to a system with the malicious intent of destroying and manipulating data files.

• A. Malware
• B. Spyware
• C. Malicious code
• D. Ransomware

Answer: (C)

Malicious code is the term for software written with harmful intent to damage or manipulate data. In this description, trap doors (backdoors) and viruses are kinds of malicious code that attackers introduce into a system. While malware is the umbrella category that includes many forms of harmful software, the phrasing here emphasizes code-based threats and the act of injecting programs or files, making malicious code the most precise fit. Ransomware and spyware are specific types of malicious code, but they don’t capture the broad idea as well as the general label malicious code.