Malware and Ransomware – What is Malware and How Does it Affect Your Business?
Malware is software designed by a cyber criminal to infiltrate or exploit a device. The attackers’ intentions vary but the end result is the same: stealing or destroying sensitive data, disrupting critical systems and extorting money. The damage caused by malware can be devastating. From identity theft to the collapse of businesses to the sabotage of digital medical devices that keep people alive, the consequences are profound.
Malicious code posing as useful programs can be downloaded through unsecured network protocols, unauthorized downloads, and social engineering ploys. Some of the most common types include viruses, worms, Trojans and ransomware. Viruses attach themselves to legitimate programs and execute when the host program runs, corrupting files or blocking system functionality. Worms, on the other hand, spread from computer to computer, typically through email attachments and compromised websites. Trojans, also known as “trojan horses,” disguise themselves as helpful programs or apps that convert PDFs, unzip files, find product discounts, or provide caller ID functionality on a smartphone. Once installed, they make unauthorized changes on the device or network: monitoring behavior, changing search engine results, adding icons to a desktop, redirecting web traffic and more.
Ransomware is a particularly insidious type of malware, encrypting personal or business data for financial gain. This malware has been a major headache for companies of all sizes and has humbled even the most successful organizations by forcing them to pay a ransom in order to get their data back.