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Types of malware and how they spread.

.In today’s interconnected world, cybercrime has become a major concern. Among the various forms of cyber attacks, Trojans, ransomware, and phishing are some of the most common and dangerous.

Computer virus : is a type of malware that is designed to replicate itself and spread from one computer to another. It is named after the biological virus because it behaves similarly: it spreads by infecting other files or systems, and it can cause damage to the infected computer.
Unlike other types of malware, such as worms and Trojans, viruses need a host file or program to infect a computer. Once the virus infects a file or program, it can spread to other files and programs on the same computer or even to other computers on a network.
There are several ways in which a computer virus can spread, including through email attachments, infected websites, and infected software downloads. When a user opens an infected file or runs an infected program, the virus can infect the computer and start replicating itself.
Once a virus has infected a computer, it can cause a range of problems, including deleting or corrupting files, stealing personal information, and slowing down the computer’s performance.The main difference between viruses and other types of malware, such as Trojans and worms, is the way they spread. While viruses need a host file or program to infect a computer, worms are self-replicating and can spread through a network without the need for a host. Trojans, on the other hand, are disguised as legitimate software and require the user to download and install them.

Trojans:Disguises itself as desirable code.
Trojans, also known as Trojan horses, are a type of malware that disguises itself as legitimate software to gain access to a computer system. Once a Trojan has infiltrated a system, it can perform a variety of malicious activities, such as stealing sensitive information, modifying files, and creating backdoors for other malware to enter the system.A Trojan cloaks itself as desired software or code. The Trojan can take control of victims’ systems for harmful reasons after being downloaded by unwary users. Trojans can lurk in software patches, games, apps, and even programmes themselves. They can even be found hidden in phishing email attachments.
Trojans are often distributed via email attachments, infected websites, or through social engineering techniques that trick users into downloading and installing the malware. Some common examples of Trojans include fake antivirus software, keyloggers, and remote access Trojans.
Ransomware:Disables victim’s access to data until ransom is paid.
Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts a victim’s files and demands payment in exchange for the decryption key. Ransomware attacks can be devastating for individuals and businesses, as they can result in the loss of valuable data, financial loss, and reputational damage.If you pay the ransom there is no guarantee that the payment will result in the necessary decryption key or that the decryption key provided will function properly.
Ransomware is typically distributed through phishing emails, infected websites, or malicious software downloads. Once the malware has infected a system, it will encrypt files and display a ransom note demanding payment in exchange for the decryption key.
Phishing:
Phishing is a type of social engineering attack in which an attacker sends a fraudulent email or message that appears to be from a reputable source in order to trick the recipient into revealing sensitive information or clicking on a malicious link.
Phishing attacks can take many forms, from emails that appear to be from a bank or government agency to social media messages that appear to be from a friend. The goal of these attacks is to obtain sensitive information such as login credentials, credit card numbers, or other personal data.
Worms:Spreads through a network by replicating itself.
Worms are a type of malware that are designed to spread from one computer to another through a network. Unlike viruses, worms do not require a host file or program to infect a computer; they are self-replicating and can spread rapidly through a network.
Once a worm has infected a computer, it can use various methods to spread to other computers on the network. Some common methods include exploiting vulnerabilities in network protocols, sending themselves as attachments in email messages, and using removable media such as USB drives.
Worms can cause a variety of problems for infected systems, including the theft of sensitive data, the destruction of files, and the degradation of system performance.
Keyloggers:Monitors users’ keystrokes.
Keyloggers are a type of malware that are designed to capture and record keystrokes on a computer. This allows attackers to steal sensitive information such as passwords, credit card numbers, and other personal data.
Keyloggers can be installed on a computer through various methods, including phishing emails, infected websites, and malicious software downloads. Once installed, they run in the background and record every keystroke made on the infected computer.
Some keyloggers are designed to send the captured data back to the attacker, while others store the data locally and wait for the attacker to retrieve it.
Rootkits:
Rootkits are a type of malware that are designed to gain access to the root or administrative level of a computer system. This allows attackers to gain complete control over the system and perform a variety of malicious activities, such as stealing sensitive data, modifying files, and creating backdoors for other malware to enter the system.
Rootkits can be installed on a computer through various methods, including phishing emails, infected websites, and malicious software downloads. Once installed, they use various methods to hide their presence and remain undetected, such as modifying system files and processes, and intercepting system calls.
Rootkits are particularly dangerous because they can be difficult to detect and remove. They can remain hidden on a system for long periods of time, allowing attackers to continue to steal data and perform malicious activities undetected.
Fileless malware : Malware that is “fileless” doesn’t initially install anything; instead, it modifies files that are inherent to the operating system, such PowerShell or WMI. A fileless assault is not detected by antivirus software because the operating system perceives the modified files as legitimate. These attacks are stealthy and up to 10 times more effective than conventional malware attacks.
Fileless Malware Example:
A fileless malware campaign called Astaroth bombarded users with links to.LNK shortcut files. A WMIC programme and several other legitimate Windows tools were launched when consumers received the package. These programmes downloaded extra code, which was only performed in memory and left no traces that vulnerability scanners could find. The attacker then downloaded and ran a Trojan that stole credentials and uploaded them to a remote server.
To protect yourself from these malware, it is important to regularly back up your files to an external device or cloud-based storage, use reputable antimalware software, and be cautious when opening emails or downloading softwareor going to dangerous websites without SSL encoding,
it is important to be cautious when opening emails or messages from unknown sources, to never reveal personal information in response to unsolicited messages, and to use multi-factor authentication whenever possible.
Trojans, ransomware, and phishing are three of the most common types of cyber attacks that individuals and businesses face today. By understanding how these attacks work and taking steps to protect yourself, you can reduce the risk of falling victim to cybercrime. Remember to always use reputable anti-virus,anti-malware software, keep your software up-to-date with the latest security patches, and be cautious when opening emails or downloading software.

 

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