Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of malware?

Enhancing data encryption is not a characteristic typically associated with malware. While some forms of malware, like ransomware, do use encryption to hold data hostage, enhancing encryption as a general purpose is not the intended function of malware. Malware usually aims to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to systems, which is fundamentally different from enhancing security measures like encryption.

In contrast, altering permissions, displaying unwanted advertisements, and monitoring user behavior are common behaviors exhibited by various types of malware. These actions are often intended to compromise user privacy, generate revenue through ad revenue, or allow unauthorized access to systems. Thus, while ransomware may employ encryption as part of its malicious scheme, the act of enhancing encryption as a beneficial security measure does not align with the characteristics of malware.