Malware can have various components:

• Payload: This is the core component of malware, designed to execute its actual motive
• Obfuscator: Usually a packer or protector for encrypting or compressing the malware
• Persistence: How the malware manages to stay in the system
• Stealth component: Hides the malware from antivirus and other tools, and security analysts
• Armoring: Protects the malware from being easily identified by researchers
• Command and control (C&C): This is the control center for the malware

These components are explained in the following sections.