BotNet News

Malware is malicious software designed to steal personal data, disrupt digital environments or extort victims for payment. It can also cause physical damage, destroy equipment and even wipe records. The motives vary but the results are the same: to make money for cyber criminals.

Viruses, worms, spyware and ransomware are examples of malware. Other types include keyloggers that record each letter a user writes on their keyboard and sends the information to an attacker. Botnets use a network of infected devices to perform large scale attacks like distributed denial of service (DDoS), spamming, stealing information and/or hijacking systems.

Backdoor viruses create a secret entrance into an infected computer system to allow threat actors to control the device without alerting the user or their security programs. Adware displays popup ads on a victim’s device to earn money off clicks and slows a device’s performance. Spyware quietly spies on a device, recording everything the user does on their system to send back to the attacker including passwords, login details and browsing history. Cryptojacking hijacks a user’s device to mine for cryptocurrency.

Malware can infect desktop computers, laptops, mobile phones and even Internet of Things (IoT) devices like cameras and smart appliances. Trends show malware is evolving to stay one step ahead of security strategies and attacks are becoming more sophisticated and hard to detect. If you suspect your environment is under attack, follow your incident response plan and notify stakeholders as needed.