Understanding what malware is and how it can impact businesses is crucial for safeguarding your company’s data, reputation, and overall operations. In this blog post, we will explore the concept of malware, its different types, and the substantial impact it can have on businesses.
Additionally, we’ll discuss the importance of utilising IT support, IT services, and managed IT services to protect your business from these kinds of cyber threats.
What is Malware?
Malware is short for malicious software, and is described as any software intentionally designed to cause damage to a computer, server, client, or computer network. Cybercriminals create malware to gain unauthorised access, steal sensitive data, disrupt operations, steal financial information, or cause other forms of harm.
Malware comes in various forms, including:
- Viruses
- Worms
- Trojan horses
- Ransomware
- Spyware
- Adware
Each type of malware operates differently and poses unique threats to businesses.
Let’s take a closer look into what exactly malware is, the different types seen in cyberattacks, and how significant the impacts towards businesses can be.
Types of Malware
As mentioned, there are many different types of Malware that hackers use within their cyberattacks, emphasising the lethality of successful attacks. Malware is the most common type of cyberattack used by cybercriminals currently, and this is largely due to the fact that it contains many subsets of cyberattack tools. Let’s take a look at some of these now.
Ransomware
Ransomware is a type of malware that is designed to block a user’s access to their computer system, or data, until a sum of money (ransom) has been paid. The ransom requested is usually in the form of cryptocurrency, and is used as a demand to return access to the original owner. Cybercriminals may also demand a ransom to force owners to pay a fee to not have the information leaked or sold online. This is due to the fact that in many cases, personal data, private information, and intellectual property is held at ransom.
Fileless Malware
Fileless malware is a concept that is incredibly dangerous for users impacted by this type of cyberattack. Fileless malware is extremely stealthy, as it doesn’t actually install anything initially onto a local device that is being targeted. Instead, it makes alterations to files that are native to the operating system, such as Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI). The operating system then sees these edited files as authentic, meaning antivirus software struggles to catch it. The cybercriminal then continues to cause harm, as they are now working on a trusted application, hidden from traditional detection tools.
Spyware
Spyware is a type of malware that is designed to gather information about a person, or business, without their knowledge. This information is then passed onto another entity, whether that be a business competitor, or a malicious individual looking to exploit the stolen information for financial gain.
Spyware can make it onto a user’s device through a number of potential avenues, including email attachments, through malicious websites/links, hidden in software downloaded, and security vulnerabilities in software or operating systems. Identity theft, financial loss, privacy breaches, and security risks are all negative outcomes that can result from a successful spyware attack.
Adware
Adware, which is short for “advertiser supported software”, is a type of software that displays unwanted advertisements on your computer or mobile device, with a call to click or tap on them. Often these advertisements can seem legitimate, or safe to access, however this is why adware is such a successful form of malware. Coming in the form of pop-ups, banners, or in text ads, adware can have a number of negative effects on a computer system.
Adware intrusion can lead to further annoyance and disruption on affected devices, as the pop-ups and advertisements will increase in frequency and often make it difficult to even browse the web. There is also a degree of privacy safety concerns, as adware can track user behaviour to collect sensitive information such as browsing history, search queries and even personal data or information submitted to websites. Whilst adware is not seen as a form of malware that has a serious degree of direct harm to personal information and data, it is often seen as a gateway for more serious infections that can exploit opened vulnerabilities.
Trojans
Trojans, or Trojan Horses, are a type of malware that got their name from the Trojan Horse tactic used by the Greeks to sneak their men into the city of Troy and win the battle. Trojans, in the world of cybersecurity, act in a similar manner, hence the name. Trojans disguise itself as a legitimate or safe software/application, to deceive users into downloading it and installing onto their system. Once activated, they then carry out a number of malicious activities such as data theft, remote control, spyware activities, system modifications, malware distribution, and system damages such as corrupting files.
Worms
Worms are a form of malicious software that replicate themselves and spread across computer networks without the need for a host platform to be attached to. They then proceed to exploit vulnerabilities in operating systems and applications to infect systems and spread independently.
There are a number of ways in which worms can spread upon the infection of a system. Network connections are one of these ways, exploiting network vulnerabilities to spread from one computer to another. Worms can also spread through email by sending malicious attachments to contacts in the infected user’s address book, which then infect their own system if they open the attachment.
Protect your Business from Malware – Contact Adept IT Solutions Today
Malware, as we’ve explored throughout this blog, is an incredibly devious form of cyberattack used by cybercriminals to perform malicious actions. Many of the different types of malware rely on user error, or a lack of knowledge, to take advantage of weakened systems.
If your business is looking to be best prepared for any type of cyberattack, including malware, Adept IT Solutions can assist. As a leading provider of IT support in Newcastle and the surrounding areas, Adept IT Solutions has the experience, knowledge, and systems required to provide robust cybersecurity systems to businesses.
If you would like to get in touch with the team at Adept IT Solutions and discuss combatting malware, or even to chat about our extensive list of services, you can contact us at 1300 423 378 (ADEPT) or email us at info@adept-it.com.au.
We look forward to assisting your business in the fight against malicious cybercriminals!
