What type of malware is characterized by sending private workstation information to a central server?

Spyware is specifically designed to collect information about a user and send that data to a central server without the user's consent. This type of malware can monitor user activities, track movements and preferences, and capture sensitive information such as passwords, credit card numbers, and other private data.

The primary characteristic that differentiates spyware from other types of malware is its focus on stealthy data gathering. It operates in the background, usually without the victim's knowledge, to harvest information that can be sold or used for malicious purposes. This makes it particularly dangerous, as it can compromise personal privacy and security while remaining undetected for long periods.

In contrast, other types of malware, such as viruses and Trojans, may also be harmful, but they typically have different operational goals. For instance, a virus is designed to replicate and spread to other systems, while a Trojan disguises itself as legitimate software to deceive users into executing it. Adware, on the other hand, primarily focuses on delivering advertisements and may not involve the covert collection of personal data to the same extent as spyware does.