In 2023, 6.06 billion malware attacks were detected globally. The most commonly blocked types of malware were worms, viruses, ransomware, and trojans. Phishing attacks, primarily delivered through e-mail and websites, continue to incur significant costs for both individuals and enterprises.
What is malware?
Malicious software (or malware) is a program designed to harm or exploit computer equipment, services and networks. It can affect not only the initially infected device, but also all devices with which it communicates.
Malware is frequently used by financially-motivated cyber criminals to steal sensitive data such as personal data (e.g., emails and passwords), health records and financial information.
What are the different types of malware?
Virus
A virus is a malware that attaches to another program and, when executed—usually inadvertently by the user—replicates itself by modifying other computer programs and infecting them with its own bits of code.
Ransomware
Ransomware is a type of malware that threatens to publish or blocks access to data or a computer system, usually by encrypting it, until the victim pays a ransom fee (often in bitcoin) to the attacker. In many cases, the ransom demand comes with a deadline. If the victim does not pay in time, the data is gone forever or the ransom increases.
Fake security software (scareware)
Scareware is a type of cyberattack that involves hackers scaring people into downloading malware by clicking on malicious links or visiting infected websites. For example, many hackers use scareware to scam users into thinking that their devices are infected and make them buy scam software for protection.
Worm
Worms spread from one computer to another, usually exploiting a security vulnerability in software or an operating system, without requiring user intervention.
Spyware
Spyware is a program installed without the user’s knowledge, which captures and transmits personal information or browsing habits. This software is used by law enforcement, government agencies and security organizations, but also by consumers to spy on those around them.
Trojan horse
A Trojan horse, or Trojan, is a type of malicious code or software that disguises itself as a legitimate application, deceiving users into downloading it, once inside the system, it can take control of your computer. Although it appears harmless, its purpose is to damage, disrupt, or steal your data or network.
Adware
Adware delivers unwanted advertisements, often in the form of pop-ups or flashing ads. They are usually installed in exchange for using a no-cost program.
Fileless Malware
Fileless malware uses legitimate programs to infect a computer, leaving no files to scan or malicious processes to detect. It is not file-based and leaves no fingerprints, making it difficult to detect and remove.
Malware can cause significant harm to your organization
Loss of sensitive data
Intellectual property: The theft of sensitive data, such as trade secrets and product development plans, can negatively impact a company’s competitiveness.
Customer Data: Compromising customer information undermines trust and can irreparably damage a company’s reputation.
Interruption of Activities
Ransomware: Cybercriminals may demand ransom payments to restore access to systems and data, causing significant operational disruptions and data loss.
DDoS Attacks: Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks can cripple online services, leading to lost productivity and revenue.
Financial costs
Repair and Recovery: The costs associated with repairing infected systems and recovering data can be significant.
Fines and Sanctions: Data breaches can result in regulatory fines, especially if data protection laws like GDPR are broken.
Reputation damage
Loss of trust: Customers and partners can lose confidence in a company that fails to protect its data.
Market Impact: Bad publicity resulting from a malware attack can affect the company’s stock and market position.
Data exfiltration
Industrial Espionage: Malware can be used to exfiltrate sensitive business information to competitors or malicious actors.
Malware and Cybersecurity Best Practices
Employee Training and Awareness: Educate your team to spot the signs of malware. Awareness is key to preventing errors that could lead to malware infiltration.
Password Management: Always use strong, unique, and complex passwords. Simple or reused passwords are easy targets for cybercriminals. Utilize our password generator and check out our guide for password examples. Consider adopting a password manager and enabling multi-factor authentication to strengthen account security, making it harder for attackers to gain unauthorized access.
Regular Software Updates: Keep all software, including operating systems, applications, and plug-ins, up to date with the latest security patches. Regular updates close vulnerabilities that malware can exploit.
Restrict Access Rights: Limit user and application access rights to the bare minimum needed for their tasks. This practice reduces the risk of malware exploiting elevated privileges to compromise your systems.
Secure Connection Points: Encourage the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) for remote access and restrict the use of external storage devices like USB drives, which are common malware carriers.
To help prevent future infections, equip yourself with cybersecurity solutions! Let’s talk about it.