Study for the Ethical Hacking Essentials Test with a focus on key concepts in cybersecurity. Utilize flashcards and multiple choice questions with hints and detailed explanations. Prepare efficiently for your exam today!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.


In the context of malware, what is the primary purpose of a packer?

  1. To facilitate data transfer

  2. To compress malware files

  3. To create backdoor access

  4. To execute commands remotely

The correct answer is: To compress malware files

The primary purpose of a packer in the context of malware is to compress malware files. Packers are tools that reduce the size of executable files, making it easier to evade detection by antivirus software and other security mechanisms. By compressing the malware, the packed file may appear harmless or benign, allowing it to bypass security filters during transfer and execution. Additionally, this compression can also obfuscate the code, further complicating the analysis for cybersecurity professionals attempting to understand the malware's functions. Once the packed malware is executed, it typically decompresses itself to run the actual malicious code, which might include various harmful actions such as stealing data or compromising systems. The other options do not align with the primary function of packers. While backdoor access and executing commands remotely may be associated with the functionalities of some types of malware, they do not relate directly to the role of a packer. Similarly, facilitating data transfer is not a core purpose of packing; rather, packing is primarily about obfuscation and size reduction.