What are the different types of Malware and how well do you understand them? Let’s break it down…
Malware includes a wide range of software that has malicious intent. Malware is not software you will willingly or knowingly download. Malware is software that has been disguised to look like something innocent or normal and installed on your computer through devious means. Infected systems typically present themselves with symptoms like running slower, starting unknown processes, rebooting randomly without consent, sending emails with user interaction, and more.
Malware comes in various forms and goes by many names. We have listed several types below:
- Virus
- Worm
- Ransomware
- Trojan
- Rootkit
- Keylogger
- Adware
- Bot
- Logic Bomb
Some basic malware stats for you to digest:
- Currently there are over 1 billion malware programs out there and the list is growing exponentially every day. This includes over 500,000 new malware detected everyday according to the AV-Test Institute.
- 46% of hackers prefer to deliver malware exclusively through email according to Verizon’s annual data breach report.
- Adware is the most common type of mobile malware according to Kaspersky.
- More than 10 billion euros was paid in ransoms during 2019 according to the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity.
The Malware Process
To start, there are multiple pieces all working together. A virus will take advantage of a vulnerability and installs malware that includes a remote access backdoor so a bot may be installed later.
The computer must run a program in order for this process to take place. This can happen in a number of ways including a user clicking on an email link, a webpage popup, or a drive-by-download.
This series is going to give you a better understanding of malware, the various types of malware, and some of the measures you can take to protect you and your business from becoming a victim. To be clear, this is not a be-all end-all series, whereas cybersecurity is a constant never-ending battle. Never let your guard down or feel comfortable enough to think you know everything there is to know in this field.
We often get asked “what is malware and ransonware?”. The truth of the matter is that Ransomware is a type of malware. Due to the fact that ransomware by is used for malicious purposes it falls under the malware category. The term Malware comes from the two words malicious and software.
Let’s take this opportunity to learn and grow with one another. Let’s set ourselves up for success with a basic understanding of the concepts surrounding malware and build an unshakable foundation for the future.
