Introduction to Malware Analysis
- Introduction to Malware Analysis
- Preliminary Analysis Techniques
- Environment for Malware Analysis
- Static Malware Analysis
- Dynamic Malware Analysis
- Understanding Malware Behaviour
- Reverse Engineering
- Advanced Static Analysis
- Advanced Dynamic Analysis
- Anti-Reverse Engineering
- Malware Attribution
- Malware Mitigation and Prevention
Introduction to Malware Analysis
Understanding Different Types of Malware
Software that is intentionally hostile, intrusive, or damaging to a computer or network.
Malware, short for malicious software, is any software intentionally designed to cause damage to a computer, server, client, or computer network. There are various types of malware, each with its unique characteristics, functionalities, and methods of infection. This article will delve into the different types of malware, their purpose, and notable examples.
Viruses
A computer virus is a type of malicious code or program written to alter the way a computer operates. It is designed to spread from host to host and has the ability to replicate itself. Viruses often perform malicious activities, such as corrupting system files and stealing sensitive information. A notable example is the "ILOVEYOU" virus, which caused billions of dollars in damage in the year 2000.
Worms
Worms are a type of malware that spread copies of themselves from computer to computer. They can do this without any human intervention or additional software, such as a host program. Worms often exploit vulnerabilities or loopholes in system security to spread. The "Conficker" worm, which infected millions of computers worldwide in 2008, is a well-known example.
Trojans
Trojans are malicious programs that mislead users of their true intent. They are often disguised as legitimate software and trick users into loading and executing the malware on their systems. Once activated, Trojans can enable cyber-criminals to spy on you, steal your sensitive data, and gain backdoor access to your system. The "Zeus" Trojan, used to steal banking information, is a notorious example.
Ransomware
Ransomware is a type of malware that involves an attacker locking the victim's computer system files -- typically through encryption -- and demanding a payment to decrypt and unlock them. Recent examples include "WannaCry" and "Petya," which caused significant disruption by targeting businesses across the globe.
Spyware
Spyware is a type of malware designed to collect and steal the user's sensitive information without their knowledge. This can include details like credit card numbers, passwords, and other personal information. A well-known example is "Zbot," a Trojan horse malware package that runs on versions of Microsoft Windows and primarily used to steal banking information.
Adware
Adware, short for advertising-supported software, is a type of malware that presents unwanted advertisements to the user. While not always harmful, adware can undermine system performance by consuming bandwidth and can also serve as a gateway for other types of malware.
By understanding the different types of malware, their characteristics, and their methods of infection, we can better prepare ourselves to prevent, detect, and mitigate these threats. This knowledge forms a crucial part of the foundation for further learning in malware analysis.