Today’s topic is basically about types of malware, yes, it’s malicious software that is basically designated to damage, impair, or exploit computers or computer systems.
Thus we can say that it is a term that most of us have heard and become well-known in the digital age because of its high attendance and uncertain consequences.
Moreover, we can say that Malware is a warning to your company both from a commercial and a productivity prospect.
Furthermore, it negotiates your protected data and takes your business to a screeching end.
However, it’s essential to arrange your malware analysis reliably because understanding how different types of malware spread is vital for including and removing them.
Developing efforts of malware cyberattacks add avoidance and obfuscation methods mainly intended to fool users of various security officials and anti-malware commodities.
Although, ways to evade can quickly help you to protect the source IP address and add polymorphic malware, which turns its code to evade exposure from signature-based exposure tools.
There is another example that is lifeless malware that only survives in a system’s RAM to evade being exposed.
According to the Fortinet Threat report, 40 different malware families in Q1 2019, and the Emotet malware is the one with a higher number of infections.
Hence, in this article, we have clearly discussed the top 10 different types of malware attacks and not only that even we have also provided information about its cure or how to avoid them.
10 Different Types of MalwareAttack Method1. Trojan Horses1. Deceptive appearance
2. Unauthorized access and control
3. Payload delivery
4. Persistence and concealment2. Worms1. Self-replication
2. Network-based propagation
3. Rapid spreading
4. Exploitation of vulnerabilities3. Adware 1. Self-replication
2. Network-based propagation
3. Rapid spreading
4. Exploitation of vulnerabilities4. Cryptojacking 1. Stealthy execution
2. Resource consumption
3. Crypto-mining payload
4. In-browser mining5. Spyware 1. Covert installation
2. Information gathering
3. Stealth and persistence
4. Unauthorized remote access6. Ransomware 1. Encryption of files or device lockdown
2. Ransom demand
3. Time-limited ransom
4. Threats and intimidation7. Malvertising 1. Camouflaged appearance
2. The exploitation of ad networks
3. Drive-by download
4. Redirects to malicious websites8. Backdoor 1. Unauthorized access
2. Concealed or hidden entry points
3. Remote access and control
4. Persistence and autostart mechanisms9. Rootkits 1. Stealth and concealment
2. Privilege escalation
3. Kernel-level functionality
4. Persistence and autostart mechanisms10. Botnets1. Distributed network
2. Remote control
3. Command-and-control (C&C) infrastructure
4. Bot herders
10 Different Types of Malware
Trojan Horses
Worms
Adware
Cryptojacking
Spyware
Ransomware
Malvertising
Backdoor
Rootkits
Botnets
1. Trojan Horses
First, we will discuss Trojan horses, it is the most popular type of malware.
In this, the attackers pretend this malware is something beneficial, such as a specific offer or present, to infiltrate a computer system so that people would enter it without any hesitation.
Moreover, Trojan Horse malware often shares the same capabilities as other malware counting, spyware, and adware producing tremendous obstacles for the users.
There are some features that this malware does if it gets into your system, hence it steals sensitive data, crashes your device, and takes your personal information like payment card information.
Mainly its blocks your anti-virus software, and thus it slows down your system, and it does not operate properly.
Therefore it’s essential to protect your system from this malware.
Prevention
A Trojan Horse can only enter a system if the user gives permission.
Therefore it applies false information in downloads during the agreement section.
Thus you should use discretion to withdraw accidental downloading, for example, which could really harm your computer or PC.
Attack Vector
Trojan horses are meant to appear innocent or appealing to users and are frequently disguised as legitimate applications or files.
Once executed or triggered on a victim’s system, a Trojan horse can acquire unauthorized access to the system.
Many Trojan horses use a covert communication channel to communicate with a remote server or an attacker’s machine.
Trojans frequently seek to steal sensitive data from infected systems.
Pros and Cons
ProsConsRemote accessUnauthorized access and controlInformation gatheringMalicious intentLaw enforcement and investigationLegal and ethical concerns
2. Worms
A Worm It can spread to other computers in a manner similar to that of a virus.
A worm doesn’t require to be connected to a current program or be provoked to perform as we know that a virus needs human interference to enter a file, attachment, or website link while a worm can attach to file by itself and self-grow.
Moreover, a worm can reduce bandwidth, install a backdoor or unnecessary programs, and even “eat up” all data files and functioning systems until the drive gets empty.
As we have known from the above para worms don’t need any interference from the user to be issued or proclaimed, thus they are unusually complex to protect against and to get rid of computer systems.
Prevention
As we all know very well that its prevention is quite complex, but the fact is that you can make your PC secure simply by activating the firewall, as it will simply limit or reduce network traffic, particularly the unapproved users.
Attack Vector
Worms, unlike viruses or Trojan horses, may self-replicate and propagate from one system to another without the need for human intervention.
Worms are programmed to spread quickly over computer networks.
They can employ preloaded IP address lists to locate targets or scan for susceptible systems.
Worms frequently use software defects, such as unpatched security gaps or weak passwords, to gain unwanted access to target systems.
Worms propagate by a variety of processes.
3. Adware
Now, we will discuss Adware, it is one of the types of malware attacks that automatically passes notifications to a user to create wealth for its producer.
Adware is mainly used in conjunction with spyware.
Thus it can be done with the help of pop-up internet ads or ads inserted in the interface of a program.
Not only that even it also collects personal data and information through spyware, and several advertisements can be provided to the users.
Thus this malware penetrates users’ privacy and causes interruption of computer functionality and potency.
Prevention
You can prevent this malware by observing the locations from where they are downloading the details because the unknown websites are general territories for adware.
Attack Vector
Adware displays adverts in various formats, including pop-up windows, banners, in-text ads, and full-screen ads.
Tracking methods are frequently used by adware to acquire information about a user’s browsing behavior, search queries, or demographic data.
Adware is sometimes bundled with other software, generally free or low-cost software acquired from the internet.
Adware is occasionally included with other software, typically free or low-cost software obtained via the Internet.
4. Cryptojacking
Next, we have a Cryptojacking attack, which is basically a type of malware that utilizes a victim’s computing capability to pit for cryptocurrency.
Thus we can say that Cryptojacking is illegal to use someone else’s processor to pit for cryptocurrency. Coin mining malware attack increases by 29%.
Hence, hackers do this by both getting the victim to agree on a malicious link in an email that obtains crypto mining code on the computer or by poisoning a website or online ad with JavaScript language that auto-executes once stored in the victim’s browser.
Prevention
You can prevent Cryptojacking by installing ad-blocking or anti-crypto mining extensions on your web browsers.
Moreover, you should use endpoint security that is proficient in identifying known crypto miners and also keep your web filtering devices up to date and, at last, maintain browser expansions.
Attack Vector
Cryptojacking is the practice of running cryptocurrency mining software in the background of a victim’s device without their knowledge or consent.
Malicious email attachments, hacked websites, drive-by downloads, malvertising (malicious adverts), or corrupted software can all lead to crypto-jacking.
Cryptojacking tries to go unnoticed for as long as possible. To escape suspicion, mining software frequently runs with low CPU or GPU utilization.
Coinhive was a popular JavaScript package that allowed website owners to mine Monero cryptocurrency using the web browsers of their users.
5. Spyware
Then we have Spyware on our list. It is accurately what you would imagine this malware intended to spy on and all collect information about the user.
Moreover, following and monitoring internet activity can be practiced, finding and obtaining delicate information, and logging keystrokes.
Thus if your system grows affected by spyware, then the hacker can gain all the information, payment card information, and the customer profiles of the companies.
This liberated activity and information can be exchanged or utilized to harm the affected user.
Prevention
A pop-up window can incorporate spyware just by agreeing on the link or window, or by unintentionally installing spyware to the computer.
Thus withdrawing these links can stop an accidental download.
Attack Vector
Spyware is programmed to collect numerous types of data from an infected system.
Spyware acts in the background in order to prevent discovery. It usually runs quietly and conceals itself from the user and security software.
Spyware can infiltrate a victim’s system via a variety of methods, including email attachments, software bundling, rogue websites, drive-by downloads, and exploiting software flaws.
Spyware can penetrate a victim’s system via email attachments, software bundling, rogue websites, drive-by downloads, and exploiting software holes.
6. Ransomware
After that, we will discuss ransomware, it is a type of malware that can stop users from entering a system or data, and also delete or distribute data if a payment is not paid.
Thus it restricts a user from introducing a file within encryption.
But, hold on, let me clarify one most important thing if you are thinking that once the demanded amount is paid your PC will be unlocked, then you are totally wrong, as there is no guarantee after funding the desired ransom will restore your system and the data.
According to the McAfee Labs report, ransomware grows 118% in the year 2019.
The ransomware attacks keep on evolving.
Most
ransomware today falls under two categories:-
Locker ransomware – It reduces the entrance to the computer or affected device.
Crypto ransomware – It simply restricts access to files and collecting data.
Although malware is continuously growing, there are simple stretches of ransomware that have been recognized and classified, including Cerber, CTB-Locker, TeslaCrypt, and CryptoWall.
Prevention
An affected system cannot negotiate data that has remained backed up offline. Therefore, users who encounter a ransomware attack will have a whole unharmed backup of their files, and will not be required to pay the ransom to gain access to their data.
Attack Vector
Ransomware encrypts the victim’s files with strong encryption techniques, rendering them inaccessible and useless in the absence of the decryption key.
Ransomware often shows a ransom note or starts a pop-up window after encrypting the files, warning the victim of the encryption and demanding a ransom payment to receive the decryption key.
Typically, ransom payments are sought in cryptocurrencies like as Bitcoin or Monero.
Ransomware frequently places a time limit on the victim’s ability to pay the ransom.
7. Malvertising
Next, we will discuss Malvertising, it is a grip of malicious advertising, and it is the use of advertising to develop malware.
It usually includes implanting malicious or malware-laden advertisements into authentic advertising networks and web pages.
Thus advertising is a great way to expand malware because meaningful effort is put into ads to create them attractive for the users to sell or advertise commodities.
Moreover, Malvertising gains profits from the reliability of the sites it is located on, just like high-profile and popular news websites.
Prevention
You can prevent this malware by Security researchers because it advises installing antivirus tools so that you can keep all software updated from time to time, consisting of the operating system, browsers, Java, and Adobe Flash.
Moreover, you can achieve more effective protection just by avoiding the use of Flash and Java collectively.
Features
Malvertisements are fake internet adverts that are commonly featured on respectable websites or ad networks.
Malvertisements are bogus internet advertisements that appear on legitimate websites or ad networks.
Malvertisements frequently use software vulnerabilities to spread malware, such as outdated browsers, plugins, or operating systems.
Malvertisements can cause “drive-by downloads,” which occur when a user visits a compromised website that hosts the malicious advertisement, resulting in the automated download and execution of malware on the user’s device.
Pros and Cons
ProsConsPotential for wide distributionMalware deliveryExploiting trusted platformsEndangering user privacy and security
Malvertising – Trial / Demo
8. Backdoor
Next, we have Backdoor, it is a secret method of circumventing standard authentication or encryption in a computer system, embedded device, or other parts of a computer.
Backdoors are usually used to achieve remote access to a computer or obtain access to encrypted files.
However, it can be utilized to gain access to, fraudulent, delete, or give sensitive data.
Backdoors can take the form of a private part of your program, for example, trojan horse, an individual program, or code in firmware and working systems, hence, backdoors is widely known.
Prevention
For preventing this malware, you must install a compelling antivirus with top-notch malware exposure and blocking abilities, for example, a firewall and a network monitoring tool.
Attack Vector
Backdoors allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to a system by circumventing authentication systems like usernames, passwords, or encryption.
Backdoors are intended to stay undetected by typical users and security measures.
Backdoors are frequently used to create a remote communication channel between the compromised machine and the attacker’s command-and-control server.
Backdoors seek to maintain persistence on the compromised system in order to provide continuous access.
9. Rootkits
After that, we will discuss about Rootkit, a combination of malware that is designed to give unlawful access to a computer or area of its software and usually masks its existence or the occurrence of other software.
Moreover, Rootkit establishment can be automated, or the antagonist can advance it with official access.
Rootkit relocation can be complicated or nearly impossible, particularly when rootkits remain in the kernel, thus firmware rootkits may need hardware replacement or specific equipment.
Prevention
The best way to prevent Rootkits is to avoid it to prevent them from being installed in the first place.
Attack Vector
Rootkits are designed to get root or administrator rights on a system.
Rootkits use ways to conceal themselves and their destructive activity.
Many rootkits work at the kernel level, which is an operating system’s essential component.
Rootkits strive for persistence on the compromised system in order to maintain continuing access and control.
10. Bots and Botnets
At last, we will discuss the bots and botnets, it is basically a computer that is contaminated with malware that enables it to be remotely managed by an attacker.
The bot can be used to launch more cyber attacks or convert to a botnet that is a collection of bots.
Therefore, botnets are a conventional method for dispersed denial of service that is DDoS attacks, growing ransomware, keylogging, and increasing other types of malware.
Prevention
There are several things to consider such as Anti-Botnet tools, Software patches, Network monitoring, and user awareness.
Attack Vector
Bots are often infected by a variety of methods, including malicious email attachments, drive-by downloads, social engineering, and exploiting software vulnerabilities.
Bots are managed by the attacker’s command-and-control (C&C) server.
Botnets allow attackers to undertake coordinated attacks by concurrently controlling a large number of hacked devices.
Bots can be used to send large amounts of spam email.
Final verdict
Basically, all organizations will encounter the harmful effects of malware without protective measures.
As per the information, cybercrime costs are predicted to overtake $2 trillion by 2019.
Among all the growing cybercrime landscapes, the organization must prepare for any possible danger, including cyber-attacks.
Thus to decrease the increasing risks, we tried our best to guide you with a proper strategy to prevent your business from avoiding to become another victim of malware attacks.
Hope the types of malware article is beneficial for you and if you liked this, then simply do not forget to share this post with your friends and on your social profiles.
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