BotNet News

A lot of people know that the flu has a season, but few understand that their personal computers, smartphones, and tablets can suffer from a different kind of malady. Called malware, it’s software or code that is designed to invade and damage electronic devices. It can also steal sensitive and confidential information or cause other unauthorized disruptions. It can include viruses, worms, Trojans, spyware, adware, ransomware, and rootkits.

The first piece of malware was called Elk Cloner. It was created by a 15-year-old as a joke and spread from one floppy disk to another, infecting Apple II systems. While not harmful, it was an unwanted intrusion—thus defining the term “malware.”

Over the years, malware has evolved to be more sophisticated and dangerous. Some types have specific purposes, such as stealing banking credentials or industrial secrets, while others can make money through blackmail, extortion, or data theft.

Most malware infections happen without the victim’s knowledge. Cybercriminals can distribute it through malicious or infected email attachments, links, or downloads, or they can hide it inside apps available for purchase on third-party app stores. Some, like the notorious CryptoLocker attack in 2013, even held a victim’s data hostage until a ransom was paid.

Other types of malware are more subtle. Adware may appear as a pop-up on websites or a full-screen unclosable ad that’s difficult to close, while trojans are hidden in seemingly benevolent programs or files and can spy on users or steal data.