What is malware and what should you be aware of?
Malware is the collective name for a wide range of malicious software types, including viruses, ransomware and spyware. Malware typically consists of code developed by attackers in cyberspace, designed to cause extensive damage to your data and systems or to gain unauthorised access to a network.
Each type of malware spreads chaos in its own way. They are typically delivered in the form of a link or file over email and require the user to click the link or open the file to execute the malware. Others are delivered through instant messaging or social media. Mobile phones are also at risk. It is essential for all organisations to be aware of their vulnerabilities so that they can more easily set up effective defences.
What types of malware are there?
As mentioned, there are several different types of malware.
Viruses are the most common of them. They attach their malicious code to clean code and wait for an unsuspecting user or an automated process to execute them. Like a biological virus, they can spread quickly and widely, causing damage to systems, corrupting files and locking users out of their computers. The viruses most often reside in an executable file.
Worms get their name from the way they infect systems. Starting from one infected machine, they burrow through the network and connect to other connected machines to spread their infection. This type of malware can infect entire networks of devices very quickly.
Spyware, as the name indicates, is designed to monitor what the user does. It hides in the background of the computer and collects information about the user without their knowledge. This information can include credit card details, passwords and other sensitive information.
Trojan horses get their name from the story of the Greek soldiers who hid in a giant horse only to launch their attack when the enemy's back was turned. Just like in the story, this kind of malware hides as legitimate software or within it. Carefully, it will try to create backdoors for other malware to have easier access.
Ransomware, also known as scareware, comes at a high cost. They are capable of shutting down entire networks and locking users out until a ransom is paid. Large organisations are particularly at risk from ransomware.
