What is malware and how does it work?
Malware is a type of software that is designed to harm a computer or device. It can typically do this in a variety of ways, such as stealing personal information, corrupting data, or taking control of the device. Malware is often spread through phishing emails or by visiting malicious websites. It can also be installed when a user installs a pirated program or app. Once installed, malware can be difficult to remove and may cause lasting damage to the device.
What are some common methods of malware delivery?
Malware can be delivered in a variety of ways, but some of the most common methods include:
1. Email attachments: Emails are one of the most popular methods for delivering malware. Attackers will often send emails with infected attachments that, when opened, will install malware on the victim’s computer. These emails can appear to come from someone the victim knows or from a legitimate organization, making them all the more convincing.
2. Drive-by downloads: Drive-by downloads occur when a victim visits a malicious website and unwittingly downloads malware onto their computer. These websites might host malware that exploits vulnerabilities in the victim’s web browser or operating system, or they might trick the victim into clicking on a malicious link that starts the download.
3. USB devices: USB devices can also be used to deliver malware. For example, an attacker could create a malicious USB key that, when plugged into a victim’s computer, would automatically install malware.
4. Malicious ads: Malicious ads, or “malvertising,” is a method of delivering malware through online advertising. Attackers insert malicious code into online ads, which can then infect the victim’s computer when the ad is loaded in their web browser.
5. Social engineering: Social engineering is a type of attack that relies on tricking the victim into taking some action that will allow the attacker to gain access to their computer or data. For example, an attacker might pretend to be tech support and convince the victim to give them remote access to their computer. Once the attacker has access, they can install malware or steal sensitive information.
Visit malwarezero.org to learn more about malware. Disclaimer: We used this website as a reference for this blog post.