What is a Malware and How to Prevent it?

 What is Malware?

The term “malware” is a mixture of two words – “malicious” and “software”. The term malware is used to describe any malicious program on a system. Malware or malicious software refers to several forms of harmful software that include computer viruses, worms, Trojan horses, ransomware, spyware, adware, scareware, rootkits, bots and other intentionally harmful programs.

Malware is defined by its malicious motive which acts against the requirements of the users. It is a web threat that steals users’ data. It primarily focuses on gaining access to users’ information in any way possible.

 

Types of Malware

There are numerous types of malware that can infect your PC. The types that can steal your data are called information stealers. They perform a variety of tasks, like recording the keys you press, capturing screenshots of your desktop at random time periods. This information is then sent to the cybercriminals. This way, the hacker can steal any of your personal information.

Let’s take a look at the different kinds of malware and their impact:

 

1. Viruses

Viruses have the ability to affect multiple files on a PC. They can also spread to other systems when infected files are sent via email or are carried by users on storage devices such as USB drives, CDs, DVDs, etc.

 

2. Adware

Adware is the malicious program which automatically delivers ads to host computers. Most common kinds of adware include in-program advertising and pop-up ads on websites, etc. Other kinds of adware use tracking tools to collect information about your location or your browsing history so as to send targeted ads to your system.

You can easily remove adware from your computer by searching for adware removal tool.

 

3. Spyware

As per the name, spyware spies on what you’re doing on your computer. It collects data such as your browsing habits, keystrokes and even login information. The information is then sent to third parties, typically cybercriminals. Spyware can also alter specific security settings of your system or interfere with your network connections. Some new types of spyware may even track users’ behavior across multiple systems without their consent.

 

4. Ransomware

When ransomware infects your PC, it encrypts sensitive data such as your personal documents or photos and other important data. The ransomware then demands a ransom to give back the data. If you refuse to pay the money, it deletes the data. Some types of ransomware even lock out all access to your PC.

 

5. Trojan Horses

Trojan Horses or Trojans hide inside your systems by masquerading themselves as legitimate files or programs. Once downloaded and installed, they can make changes to the computer and carry out malicious activities without the consent of the user.

 

6. Worms

Worms don’t require human assistance to spread and infect computers. Once they infect a PC, they use computer networks to spread to other systems. By simply exploiting network vulnerabilities such as weaknesses in emails, worms can send several copies of themselves for infecting new computers. Most of the worms affect the system resources, thus reducing the system performance.

 

7. Rootkits

Rootkits are designed to actively hide their existence and go unnoticed. They allow remote access to a computer by a third party. Once installed on your system, they allow hackers to take complete control of your system so as to steal information or install other malware on your PC. 

8. Bots

Bots are a type of malware which automatically carry out specific operations on a system. Once they infect a computer, bots can cause the system to execute specific commands without the user’s approval. Cybercriminals try to infect multiple computers with the same bot to create a “botnet” (robot network). The botnet can be used to remotely manage affected computers to spy on the victims’ activities, steal sensitive data and to carry out DDoS attacks on computer networks. 

Purpose of Malware

Malware are designed for different purposes which include:

• Spreading themselves amongst several computers to collect users’ data.
• Certain types of malware are even capable of stealing sensitive private information like passwords, credit card information, banking data, etc.

How Does your System get Infected with Malware?

Malware can infect your system in any of the following ways:

• Clicking on links of malicious websites in emails or messages in social networking sites
• Visiting compromised websites
• Connecting infected storage drives to your computer
• Operating system vulnerabilities
• Application vulnerabilities
• Social engineering in which cybercriminals trick you into doing something that puts your privacy at risk.
• Phishing emails in which you receive an email that looks legitimate and convinces you to download an infected file or visit a malicious website.
• Bundling methods such as freeware and shareware programs
• Torrent files or anything else downloaded from the internet

Effects of Malware

Malware gets installed on a system without the consent of users and can cause a number of nasty effects. These include:

• Degraded computer performance
• Risk to your sensitive information
• It could erase or modify your data
• It could adversely affect the operation of computer-controlled hardware.
• Malware keeps on using new tactics and techniques to avoid being detected by Antivirus programs and remain under the radar.
• Microsoft Windows malware can also modify the Windows registry database. It modifies the registry to-
• Make sure it can launch itself after a reboot
• Hide in a more appropriate way
• Integrate with an existing legitimate process

Misconception Regarding Malware

There is a common misconception regarding removal of malware. The misconception is that the infection will only be found as a file. But lately, more and more malware are installing a part of themselves as a service.

While scanning a system for infections, the standard approach is to scan and clean up the Run entries and other common startup entries in the beginning. The problem occurs when the log looks completely clean and still there are so many issues. After looking for the Run and startup entries, the operating system’s services should also be checked. If an unknown service is found in the operating system’s services, that service could possibly be loading the infection.

Removing and Avoiding Malware

To avoid and remove malware, follow the given security measures:

1. Pop-ups and ads on the websites are the most adoptable tactic used by cybercriminals to spread malicious programs. Install a powerful ad-blocker for your browser.
2. Never click on unknown websites, ads, etc.
3. According to a survey, outdated versions of Windows operating system are an easy target for malware. So, keep your Windows updated through automatic Windows update.
4. Avoid third-party installations.
5. Regularly back up your data on a cloud drive or an external hard drive.
6. To fight malware, it is important to know how to diagnose a service running as a malware. As more and more malware are using this technique, it is becoming highly important to detect these services.
7. Make use of a good malware removal tool to remove and prevent all types of malware.