Unknown Malware on a system

[tigersty1e]

Is it possible to have malware on a system and not know about it because the malware doesn't slow the system down or show itself in other ways?

 

[redbeard1]

Simple answer. Yes.

What prompts the question?

 

[tigersty1e]

I always had malware show its signs roughly 1-2 years after installing the OS.

But it's been relatively no activity for a while.

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: tigersty1e
Is it possible to have malware on a system and not know about it because the malware doesn't slow the system down or show itself in other ways?

Much of the current malware operates exactly this way, sending out only a few spam or other actions at a time. Its more important for the attacker to have use of the resource sparingly than to make it obvious so it gets removed...