{"id":7055,"date":"2021-06-21T13:37:57","date_gmt":"2021-06-21T21:37:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cheapsslsecurity.com\/blog\/?p=7055"},"modified":"2021-07-19T15:52:08","modified_gmt":"2021-07-19T23:52:08","slug":"what-is-malware-and-what-does-it-do","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cheapsslsecurity.com\/blog\/what-is-malware-and-what-does-it-do\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Malware and What Does It Do? A Malware Definition"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

AV-TEST Institute<\/a> registers more than 350,000 new malware and potentially unwanted applications (PUAs) daily. The sheer number of new malware is enough to make you shiver \u2014 so long as you understand what \u201cmalware\u201d entails. But what is malware and what does it do? Let\u2019s explore malware definition and meaning<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Malware is a threat that can be found everywhere online. It\u2019s hidden in app stores\u2019 most popular apps, gets sent daily through email, and often can be found attached to some of your favorite share-site downloads. But what is malware and what does it do? We\u2019ll break down malicious software and why it\u2019s such a threat to businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is Malware? A Quick Malware Definition & Meaning<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"A<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What is malware and what does it do? The definition of malware is simple: malware is a program or even just code that\u2019s written with an intent to cause harm to a computer system or a network of systems. Malware is short for malicious software (malware) \u2014 the term is an example of a portmanteau<\/em> because it takes parts of two words and combines them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, what is malicious software in the sense of how cybercriminals use it? Malware is a catch-all term that describes a software program or code that helps people perform espionage, sabotage, or steal data from others. The history of malware<\/a> goes back to the days when the internet was not widely available. Although it was once spread via physical floppy disks, malware now can be found in everything from malicious emails and websites to compromised apps and image files.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The AV-TEST Institute<\/a> recorded the following increase in the number of malware and potentially unwanted applications in the last 10 years:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A
Chart showing the rise of malware in the past 10 years. Data source: AV-TEST Institute<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As you can see in the graph, malware attacks have been on a constant rise. Malware increased 13.75% to 1139.24 in 2020 from 1001.52 in 2019. And the numbers for 2021 are even more alarming. Data on the number of malware attacks that occurred between Jan. 1 and June 7 have already surpassed the total number of attacks observed in 2020. And the year is still young\u2026 What the cumulative figure for 2021 will be, only time will tell. Till then, we can only take precautionary measures to stay safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Types of Malware and What They Do<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Malwarebytes observed the top malware varieties in the State of Malware Report 2021<\/a>:  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Data source: Malwarebytes 2021 State of Malware Report.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The influx of malware is so rampant that it\u2019s possible you may have undetected malware on your device right now and not know it. Criminals, nowadays, use a combination of two or more types of malware for a stronger attack. They also keep on changing their tactics often to achieve their goals without being detected. The following malware definitions and examples of malware can help you recognize a potential threat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adware<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Adware is a type of malware that, once installed on your device (mobile or laptop), will display spam, phishing, or other malicious ads that will lure you to click on them. Sometimes adware contains other types of malware with or without the knowledge of the advertiser. When a person clicks on the ad, his computer might get infected with the malware hidden in the ad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2020 data from Avast<\/a> called out adware as the most common type of malware for Android mobile devices. Adware represented 72% of the total malware on mobile devices they detected between October and December 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ransomware<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ransomware is a nasty piece of malware that uses encryption to prevent legitimate users and companies from accessing their own data. Bad guys use this leverage to demand ransom payments (often in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum). They do this by saying that if the target pays, they\u2019ll provide a decryption key. But there\u2019s no guarantee that the victim will actually receive the key \u2014 or that the key will work \u2014 even if they do make the payment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What makes matters worse is that in some cases, cybercriminals will use their access to exfiltrate the victim\u2019s data so they can leak it online, use it for other crimes, or sell it to others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a recent event, BleepigComputer<\/a> reported that the electronic manufacturing giant Foxconn was hit by a ransomware attack and the actors were demanding $34 million as ransom in Bitcoin payments. The criminals DoppelPaymer hit Foxconn over the Thanksgiving weekend of 2020. A strategically located company facility in Mexico was the target of the attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rootkits<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Rootkits are a set of tools or programs that can make administrative changes to a device at the kernel level. Some rootkits might be harmless, but some are malicious software programs that operate in the background. The latter are designed to work under-the-radar of your antivirus and anti-malware programs, which means they can go undetected for a long time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kaspersky researchers unveiled a previously unknown rootkit<\/a> they discovered was being used to control the networks of regional organizations. Called Moriya, this rootkit was used to create \u201cpassive backdoors on public-facing servers\u201d that allowed the devices to be silently controlled via C&C communications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spyware and Keyloggers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Data source: Malwarebytes 2021 State of Malware Report.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

These types of software are very useful in surveillance without the knowledge of the subject. They can also be used for constructive (although questionable) purposes like keeping track of the activities of the employees during work hours. However, when cybercriminals use the same types of software with malicious intentions, it becomes malware.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Malwarebytes categorizes keyloggers as \u201cMonitor\u201d apps. In their 2021 State of Malware Report, Malwarebytes reports the detection rates for monitor apps on Android mobile devices rose 565%, and that spyware surged 1,055% between January and December 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojans<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Trojans are fraudulent and dangerous malware that often reach your computer while disguised as a legitimate program or app. Cybercriminals create fraudulent versions of legitimate software to try to trick people into downloading their fake\/malicious version instead of the legitimate software. This type of malware gets its name from the Trojan horse of Greek mythology because of its subterfuge-like uses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bad guys took advantage of the COVID-19 global pandemic by creating a fake COVID tracking application for Android devices. Researchers at domaintools.com<\/a> report that although the app claimed to provide real-time tracking information about coronavirus outbreaks, it was really a Trojan and unleashed ransomware when downloaded on the device. A file locker malware \u201cCovidlock\u201d locked the files on your device when the app was downloaded. Allegedly, the ransom of $100 was demanded from all the victims.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Viruses<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A virus is an example of malicious software that infects your device and spreads to your network devices. A virus requires a user to trigger or activate the program. Often virus is connected to a legitimate program and when you install the legitimate program, it is also installed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Worms<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Although worms work in ways that are similar to viruses, they should not be confused with them. A virus requires some type of user interaction to activate it; worms, on the other hand, can be activated without such a trigger. They can also spread to the network of the victim without the knowledge or the help of the victim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Common Methods of Malware Deployment of Malware<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are many ways that threat actors can get malware onto your device. Let\u2019s explore a few of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phishing Campaigns<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cybercriminals use different communication methods to spread malware that they can use to steal your personal information. Here are a few quick examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n