What is malware?

The word ‘malware’ is a short form of ‘malicious software.’ Malware is any software that is developed to disrupt or damage the working of a computer system intentionally. But what is malware really?

Malicious software?

Often developed by cybercriminals ( “hackers”), It is a common term that is used to denote a software or script that is implicitly designed to create damage to any computer and computer systems, smartphone, IoT devices, Network, and other programable devices.

Usually, they’re just looking to make money, either by spreading the malware themselves or selling it to the highest bidder on the Dark Web.

What does malware do ?

Malware delivers its payload in a number of different ways. From demanding a ransom to stealing sensitive personal data, cracking weak passwords, bore into systems, and spread through networks to more victims. Malware is the force behind most cyberattacks, data theft leading to identity theft and even large scale data breaches.

Cybercriminals are becoming more and more sophisticated in their methods. ~The art of the art of design malware

Common type of malware

Though some of these terms can be used to describe software with a legitimate, non-malicious intent, malware is generally understood to exist in one or more of the following forms :

Virus

THE most common type of malware, viruses attach themselves to clean files and infect other clean files. They can spread uncontrollably, damaging a system’s core functionality and deleting or corrupting files. They usually appear as an executable file.

Worms

They get their name from the way they infect the system. Worms infect entire networks of devices, either local or across the internet, by using network interfaces. They use each consecutively infected machine to infect others. The difference from virus, worm can spread without a host file.

Spyware

No surprise here — As it’s name suggests, It is designed to spy on you. Hiding in the background on a computer, spyware collect information without the user knowing, such as credit card details, passwords and other sensitive information.

To use on your boy/girlfriend. Very efficient.

Trojan

Like Greek soldiers hid in a giant horse to deliver their attack, Trojans disguises itself as legitimate software, or is hidden in legitimate software that has been tampered with. Acting discretely, it will breach security by creating backdoors that give other malware variants easy access.

Ransomware

Ransomware comes with a heavy price. Typically locks down your computer and your files, and threatens to erase everything unless you pay a ransom.

“Ransomware is more about manipulating vulnerabilities in human psychology than the adversary’s technological sophistication”
― James Scott, Sr. Fellow, Institute for Critical Infrastructure Technology

How Does Malware Spread?

Each type of malware has its own unique way of causing havoc, and most rely on user action of some kind:

• Sometimes when you download a free software program, it might come bundled with an additional application that you might not require. That additional application might be Malware carrying one.
• Peer to peer file-sharing services such as torrent are among the top gateways for Malware to enter your system. The files shared through this method travel through many networks and systems, making them vulnerable to malware infection.
• While browsing the internet, many times, you might see pop-ups or banner ads with attractive offers that are “too good to be true.”
• Downloading Freeware from Unknown Sources.
• Spams email one of the oldest mediums to spread malware programs such as viruses and worms. The Malware is usually sent via attachment in the email.