Malware

Malware

• Short for malicious software.

• is software used or created to disrupt computer operation, gather sensitive

information, or gain access to private computer systems.

• It can appear in the form of code, scripts, active content, and other software.

• 'Malware' is a general term used to refer to a variety of forms of hostile, intrusive, or

annoying software

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Types of Malware

• Viruses

• Trojan horses

• Worms

• Spyware

• Zombie

• Phishing

• Spam

• Adware
• Ransomware

Types of Malware

Viruses

• A program or piece of code that is loaded onto your computer without your knowledge and
runs against your wishes.

• Viruses can also replicate themselves.

• Viruses copy themselves to other disks to spread to other computers.

• They can be merely annoying or they can be vastly destructive to your files.

2. Trojan Horses

• A Trojan Horse program has the appearance of having a useful and desired function.

• a Trojan horse is a program downloaded and installed on a computer that appears

harmless, but is, in fact, malicious.
• A Trojan Horse neither replicates nor copies itself, but causes damage or compromises the
security of the computer.

• A Trojan Horse must be sent by someone or carried by another program and may arrive in
the form of a joke program or software of some sort.

3. Worms

• A computer worm is a self-replicating computer program.

• A computer worm is a type of malware whose primary function is to self-replicate and

infect other computers while remaining active on infected systems

• It uses a network to send copies of itself to other nodes (computers on the network) and it
may do so without any user intervention.

• It does not need to attach itself to an existing program.

4. Spyware

• Spyware is a type of malware installed on computers that collects information about users
without their knowledge.

• Spyware is software with malicious behaviour that aims to gather information about a
person or organization and send it to another entity in a way that harms the user

• The presence of spyware is typically hidden from the user and can be difficult to detect.

• Spyware programs lurk on your computer to steal important information, like your
passwords and logins and other personal identification information and then send it off to
someone else.
5. Zombie
programs take control of your computer and use it
and its Internet connection to attack other computers
or networks or to perform other criminal activities.
A Zombie is a malicious program that is installed on
a device that transforms it into a “zombie” that
attacks other systems. A computer or other device
transformed by zombie malware is first infected by a
virus or Trojan.
6. Phishing

• Phishing is a message that tries to trick you

into providing information like your social
security number or bank account information or logon and password for a web site.

• The message may claim that if you do not click on the link in the message and log onto
a financial web site that your account will be blocked, or some other disaster.

• Phishing” is a scam where thieves attempt to steal personal or financial account

information by sending deceptive electronic messages that trick unsuspecting
consumers into disclosing personal information.
7. Spam

• Spam is email that you did not request and do not want.
• Spamming is the use of electronic messaging systems like e-mails and other
digital delivery systems and broadcast media to send unwanted bulk messages
indiscriminately.

• One person's spam is another's useful newsletter or sale ad.

• Spam is a common way to spread viruses, trojans, etc

8. Adware

• Adware (short for advertising-supported software) is a type of malware that automatically

delivers advertisements.
• Adware, often called advertising-supported software by its developers, is software that
generates revenue for its developer by automatically generating online advertisements in
the user interface of the software or on a screen presented to the user during the
installation process

• Common examples of adware include pop-up ads on websites and advertisements that
are displayed by software.

• Often times software and applications offer “free” versions that come bundled with
adware.
9. Ransomware

• Ransomware is a form of malware that essentially holds a computer system captive while
demanding a ransom.
• a type of malicious software designed to block access to a computer system until a sum of
money is paid

• The malware restricts user access to the computer either by encrypting files on the hard
drive or locking down the system and displaying messages that are intended to force the
user to pay the malware creator to remove the restrictions and regain access to their
computer.

How Malware Spreads?

• Malware is a program that must be triggered or somehow executed before it can infect
your computer system and spread to others.

• Here are some examples on how malware is distributed:

a) Social network

b) Pirated software

c) Removable media

d) Emails
 e) Websites
Damages 1. Data Loss

• Many viruses and Trojans will attempt to delete files or wipe hard drives when activated, but
even if you catch the infection early, you may have to delete infected files.
Damages 2. Account Theft

• Many types of malware include keylogger functions, designed to steal accounts and
passwords from their targets.

• Keystroke logging, often referred to as keylogging or keyboard capturing, is the action of

recording the keys struck on a keyboard, typically covertly, so that a person using the
keyboard is unaware that their actions are being monitored. Data can then be retrieved by
the person operating the logging program.

• This can give the malware author access to any of the user's online accounts, including
email servers from which the hacker can launch new attacks.
Damages 3. Financial Losses

• If a hacker gains access to a credit card or bank account via a keylogger, he can then use
that information to run up charges or drain the account.

• Given the popularity of online banking and bill payment services, a hacker who manages to
secrete a keylogger on a user's system for a full month may gain access to the user's entire
financial portfolio, allowing him to do as much damage as possible in a single attack.
How to Protect Your Computer

• Install protection software.

• Practice caution when working with files from unknown or questionable sources.

• Do not open e-mail if you do not recognize the sender.

• Download files only from reputable Internet sites.

• Install firewall.

• Scan your hard drive for viruses monthly.

Symptoms

• Increased CPU usage

• Slow computer or web browser speeds

• Problems connecting to networks

• Freezing or crashing

• Modified or deleted files

• Appearance of strange files, programs, or desktop icons

• Programs running, turning off, or reconfiguring themselves (malware will often reconfigure
or turn off antivirus and firewall programs)
Symptoms

• Strange computer behavior

• Emails/messages being sent automatically and without user’s knowledge (a friend receives
a strange email from you that you did not send)
• There seems to be a lot of network activity when you are not using the network

• The available memory on your computer is lower than it should be

• Programs or files appear or disappear without your knowledge

• File names are changed

Anti-Malware Program

• Anti-Malware program is used to prevent, detect, and remove computer viruses, worms,
trojan horses and any other type of malware.

• Examples of Anti-Malware program:

– Antivirus program

– Anti-spyware program

– Anti-spam program

– Firewall
Antivirus Program

• “Antivirus" is protective software designed to defend your computer against malicious

software.

• In order to be an effective defense, the antivirus software needs to run in the background at
all times, and should be kept updated so it recognizes new versions of malicious software.
Examples of Antivirus Program

• Norton Antivirus

• AVG

• Kaspersky

• Avast!

• PC-Cilin

• McAffee

• Avira
Anti-Spyware Program

• Anti-spyware program is a type of

program designed to prevent and
detect unwanted spyware program
installations and to remove those programs if installed.
• Examples of Anti-spyware program:

– Spyware Doctor

– AVG Anti-spyware

– STOPzilla

– Spysweeper
Anti-Spam Program

• Anti-spam software tries to identify useless or

dangerous messages for you.
Firewall

• A firewall blocks attempts to access your files over a network or internet connection.

• That will block incoming attacks.

• Your computer can become infected through shared disks or even from another computer
on the network.

• So you need to monitor what your computer is putting out over the network or internet also.