Malware is one of the biggest threats in the digital environment, as it is constantly evolving and becoming more dangerous. The purpose of this study was to analyse the evolution of malicious software. Historical, comparative and empirical analysis and an assessment of existing security technologies were used to achieve this goal. The main findings revealed several key stages in the development of malicious software. Historical analysis has shown that the evolution of malware has gone through several significant stages, from simple viruses and worms to complex threats such as ransomware and spyware. These changes were driven by technological advances and increased attack capabilities, which allowed malicious software to use new vectors of influence and deception methods. A comparative analysis of modern cyber threats revealed the key characteristics and differences between different types of malwares, including their specific distribution methods and vulnerabilities. It was found that new threats have a more complex architecture and use more innovative tactics, which significantly complicates their detection and neutralisation. An empirical analysis involving the use of threat detection tools provided specific data on malware behaviour in action. A review and testing of modern security methods, including antivirus solutions, intrusion detection systems, and firewalls, showed their strengths and weaknesses, as well as their effectiveness in detecting and preventing new threats. The results of the study highlighted the need for continuous improvement of protection methods, which is critical for effective control of modern cyber threats
