Types of malware:
In today’s digital age, the threat of malware attacks will only continue to increase. This increase can make it challenging for businesses and consumers alike to protect themselves regularly from these security threats. While malware is a term that is commonly used to describe a variety of malicious software programs that can infiltrate and damage computer systems, there are numerous types out there that can do more damage than just to systems.
Other types of malware can gain unauthorized access to systems, steal sensitive user and consumer data, and even hold everything at ransom until payment demands are met. Malware can come in many different types and varieties, most of which have the goal of stealing from consumers and businesses. Continue reading to learn more about the seven most common types of malware, which is the most dangerous type, and how you can prevent them.
What Are the Different Types of Malware?
While malware has been around in some form since computers became widely available, the most common types have evolved. Nowadays, there are many different types of malware that can impact consumers and businesses alike. From viruses to ransomware, most malware is designed to exploit systems for the benefit of cybercriminals. Understanding the types of malware is key to protecting your devices and systems from possible cyberattacks.
Types of Malware
- Viruses: A virus is malicious executable code attached to another executable file. The virus spreads when an infected file is passed from system to system. Viruses can be harmless, or they can modify or delete data. Opening a file can trigger a virus. Once a program virus is active, it will infect other programs on the computer.
- Worms—Worms replicate themselves on the system, attaching themselves to different files and looking for pathways between computers, such as a computer network that shares common file storage areas. Worms usually slow down networks. A virus needs a host program to run, but worms can run by themselves. After a worm affects a host, it is able to spread very quickly over the network.
- Trojan horse: A Trojan horse is malware that carries out malicious operations under the appearance of a desired operation, such as playing an online game. A Trojan horse differs from a virus because the Trojan binds itself to non-executable files, such as image files and audio files.
- Ransomware—Ransomware grasps a computer system or the data it contains until the victim makes a payment. Ransomware encrypts data on the computer with a key that is unknown to the user. The user has to pay a ransom (price) to the criminals to retrieve the data. Once the amount is paid, the victim can resume using his or her system
- Adware: It displays unwanted ads and pop-ups on the computer. It comes along with software downloads and packages. It generates revenue for the software distributor by displaying ads.
- Spyware: Its purpose is to steal private information from a computer system for a third party. Spyware collects information and sends it to the hacker.
- Logic Bombs: A logic bomb is a malicious program that uses a trigger to activate the malicious code. The logic bomb remains non-functioning until that trigger event happens. Once triggered, a logic bomb implements malicious code that causes harm to a computer. Cybersecurity specialists recently discovered logic bombs that attack and destroy the hardware components of a workstation or server, including the cooling fans, hard drives, and power supplies. The logic bomb overdrives these devices until they overheat or fail.
- Rootkits: A rootkit modifies the OS to make a backdoor. Attackers then use the backdoor to access the computer remotely. Most rootkits take advantage of software vulnerabilities to modify system files.
- Backdoors: A backdoor bypasses the usual authentication used to access a system. The purpose of the backdoor is to grant cybercriminals future access to the system even if the organization fixes the original vulnerability used to attack it.
- Keyloggers—Keyloggers record everything the user types on his or her computer system to obtain passwords and other sensitive information and send them to the source of the keylogging program.
How do I remove malware?
As was already mentioned, a large number of security software programs are made to both find and stop malware as well as eliminate it from infected systems.
An antimalware tool that handles malware detection and removal is Malwarebytes. Malware can be eliminated from Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS operating systems. A user’s registry files, currently running programs, hard drives, and individual files can all be scanned by Malwarebytes. Malware can then be quarantined and removed if it is found. Users cannot, however, set automatic scanning schedules like they can with some other tools.
