BotNet News

Malware is any program that’s designed to harm computers, networks and end users. Examples of malware include computer viruses, worms, Trojan horses, ransomware, spyware and keyloggers. These malicious programs steal, encrypt or delete data; alter or hijack core computing functions; and monitor end user activity.

There are billions of consumer-owned devices connected to the internet, giving cybercriminals a huge attack surface for spreading adware, worms, viruses, spyware and keyloggers, as well as ransomware. While most of these are just entertainment devices, many are also connected to bank accounts, medical records and retail store systems — making them a desirable target for cryptominers and other types of malware that steal computational power for their attackers.

Detecting Malware

The most obvious sign of a malware infection is noticing a sudden loss of hard drive space accompanied by an unexplained spike in your system’s Internet activity. This is a result of the malware sending back and forth communications to its command-and-control servers to download and install additional malware on your system.

Another clear indicator of malware is a sudden increase in the amount of data and energy your system uses. This could be the result of a Trojan horse that’s hiding in a legitimate application and downloading other malware on your device. Lastly, a rootkit is a particularly dangerous form of malware that provides privileged access to the victim’s system (root-level) and hides within the operating system so it can stay undetected for a long period of time.