BotNet News

Malware is software designed to infiltrate a device, steal information or disrupt business operations. Attackers use malware to make money, sabotage specific industrial systems and more. The threat is increasing in a post-pandemic, work-from-anywhere world, where more and more devices are connected to the Internet of Things without much consideration for network security.

Computer viruses, worms and Trojans are some of the most common malware types. Viruses hide snippets of malicious code with clean code in executable programs and when executed, spread through a variety of systems, destroying or corrupting files and spreading copies of itself. Worms can exploit a network, change security settings and even stop users from accessing their computers. Trojans — also called backdoors or remote access Trojans (RAT) — create secret back doors on infected systems and can send data to attackers or download additional malware, such as keyloggers to steal credentials or cryptojackers to mine cryptocurrency like bitcoin.

Adware monetizes by showing unwanted advertisements, usually in popup form. Some adware is less dangerous, while other variants slow down device performance and leave a system vulnerable to further attacks. Spyware monitors a user’s activity without their knowledge and reports that information to the malware’s author. Some malware attacks are purely criminal while others are used for sabotage, such as Stuxnet, which infiltrated specific industrial control systems.

Signs of a malware infection include devices performing poorly or suddenly shutting down, an increase in network traffic to untrusted sources and unusually high bandwidth consumption. IT and security teams should follow incident response guidelines in their respective organizations and report an attack to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center or local field offices.