BotNet News

Malware is malicious software used to steal or damage data or tamper with devices. It is also known as viruses, worms and Trojan horses. Other common malware includes spyware and adware.

Cybercriminals use malware to reap financial rewards, steal confidential information or cripple business operations. They can encrypt sensitive business data, lock computer systems and demand ransom for their return. They can also infiltrate systems and exploit technical vulnerabilities to cause sabotage.

Attackers can spread malware using social engineering tricks, phishing and other similar techniques. They can also take advantage of specific software bugs to infect computers and other devices with unauthorized software. A hacked program may run unauthorized processes that compromise the confidentiality, integrity and availability of applications or operating systems.

A computer virus, for example, infects clean files and then replicates itself by modifying other programs. It can be hidden by a rootkit, a malware package that gives attackers privileged access to an infected system.

Trojans, which can disguise themselves as useful programs and piggyback on other software, often spy on users without their knowledge. They can also syphon off private information, tamper with device settings or download additional malware to an infected system. A common trojan, called a remote access trojan or RAT, creates a backdoor on a device and communicates with an attacker’s command and control server to download secondary infections.

A popular malware trend in recent years is ransomware, which encrypts data and systems and demands payment to regain control of a system. Other popular malware types include cryptojacking, which involves hackers hijacking people’s computers to mine cryptocurrency, and adware, which displays unwanted advertisements.