What is a payload (computing)?

In computing, a payload is the carrying capacity of a packet or other transmission statistics unit. The time period has its roots inside the navy and is often related to the capacity of executable malicious code to do damage. The time period payload has  meanings: records payload, that's related to the transport of records throughout a community, and malware payload, which refers to malicious code used to take advantage of and compromise IT networks and systems.

Data payload. The payload of a specific community packet or different protocol data unit (PDU) is the transmitted data despatched by communicating endpoints; community protocols additionally specify the maximum period allowed for packet payloads. The payload is then wrapped in a packet that carries statistics inclusive of media access control cope with and IP information, excellent of provider tags, time-to-stay statistics and checksums.

Malware payload. Payload inside the context of malware refers to malicious code that causes harm to the centered sufferer. Malware payloads can be dispensed by using techniques consisting of worms and phishing emails. Today, malware authors typically encrypt the payload to hide the malicious code from antimalware detection and remediation equipment.