What Is System Drive?

What Is System Drive?

System Drive Definition

Short definition: The default logical drive for your Operating System (OS), containing all system files and drivers.

Extended Definition:

System Drive is the kind of drive that has been created with the main idea to serve the operating system, containing all of the system files and drivers that are required for it to function properly. In most cases when it comes down to cybersecurity, System Drives are the target No. 1 by malware, because they are the main instrument that can influence the complete functioning of your OS and give the virus control over your computer.

System Drives are often targeted by different malware for different purposes. The most often activity on the system drive conducted by malware is to drop payload files, used by the virus itself to conduct the malicious activity on your computer without you knowing. This usually occurs in the system directories, like the following:

%AppData%
%Local%
%LocalLow%
%Roaming%
%Temp%
%System%
%Windows%
%System32%

Depending on the malware, the files may be of different kinds and have different names. Some of them may even be hidden.

For more definitions, check our Cyber Dictionary.