What type of malware is known to gain administrator-level access and target critical system components?

The type of malware that is known to gain administrator-level access and target critical system components is a rootkit. Rootkits are specifically designed to alter or manipulate the operating system or other software at a low level, allowing them to hide their presence and maintain persistent access to a compromised system. They can operate undetected while giving attackers the ability to control and exploit the system, often enabling further malicious activities.

Rootkits achieve this by integrating themselves deeply into the system, which can include modifying system files, processes, or the kernel. This makes them particularly dangerous, as they can avoid detection by traditional security measures and can facilitate other types of attacks or malware.

The other types of malware do not operate in the same way. Worms primarily self-replicate to spread across networks without needing to manipulate system components at an administrator level. Trojans disguise themselves as legitimate software to trick users, but they do not inherently provide the same level of control as rootkits. Spyware is focused on monitoring and collecting information rather than gaining control over system components.