What Is Malware - Types, Definition, and History

Malware, or malicious software, refers to any computer code, program, or file that is dangerous and causes damage to a computer system.

These type of software is created by cybercriminals with the intention of illicitly obtaining valuable data, such as login passwords, sensitive files, and other information, for the purpose of financial exploitation.

It can also encrypt a user’s files and demand payment in exchange for the decryption. Malware is also capable of doing covert and malicious actions on the computer without the user’s awareness of their device being compromised.

Malware can be specifically aimed at an individual if the attacker desires, but it can also be disseminated around the internet, infecting a vast number of users with its harmful code.

Types of malware

Since the inception of computers, there have been several varieties of malware, maybe numbering in the hundreds or even more. Each entity possesses its own distinct malware families, with new variations emerging on a nearly daily basis.

Nevertheless, every malware exhibits shared traits and purposes, facilitating their straightforward classification. Below are the common types of malicious software and their respective functionalities:

Adware: Also referred to as advertising-supported malware,  is a potentially unwanted program (PUP) that is installed without the explicit consent of the user. It hampers your browsing experience by an abundance of advertising, intrusive pop-up windows, banners, in-text links, and autoplay video commercials. This also includes browser hijackers such as ones that redirect users to Bing or Yahoo.

Virus: It typically arrives as an attachment in an email, including a virus payload, which is the component of the malware responsible for carrying out the harmful activity. Also, it establishes a connection with another program and, upon execution, it reproduces itself by altering other computer programs and contaminating them with its code.

Worm: A computer worm is a form of malicious software that can autonomously reproduce or duplicate itself without any human intervention, hence facilitating its transmission to other computers within a network. It frequently utilizes the internet or a local area network (LAN) connection of the targeted company to propagate itself.

Ransomware: Ransomware is a form of malicious software that restricts your ability to use your device and the data it contains, typically by encrypting your files. Subsequently, a criminal syndicate will request payment in return for the process of decrypting the data. The computer may experience a state of being inaccessible, or the information stored on it could be unlawfully taken, or erased.

Spyware: A type of harmful software that infiltrates your computer device, collects information about you, and transmits it to a third-party without your permission. This type of malware is specifically employed to gain financial benefit from stolen data. The surveillance conducted by spyware exposes you to the risk of data breaches and unauthorized use of your private information.

Trojan: Also known as a Trojan virus, is a form of malicious software that conceals itself within a genuine file or program in order to infiltrate your device. Due to its delivery method within a genuine application or file, Trojan malware is highly challenging to detect. Trojans are utilized for the purpose of covertly monitoring individuals, pilfering sensitive information, contaminating further software, and causing various forms of damage.

Rootkit: A rootkit is a type of malware specifically created to illicitly infiltrate a computer system, seize control of it, and operate covertly without detection by the user or system administrators. Rootkits typically focus on the underlying layers of a computer’s operating system (OS), allowing them to avoid being detected and control system activities.

How does malware spread

A severe malware attack has the potential to destroy both individuals and businesses of any magnitude. Even seemingly minor attacks might reveal significant security vulnerabilities within a company’s network.

Targeted emails are a prevalent method for distributing malware and harmful software within a company’s network. These emails are frequently dispatched without prior request to employees, managers, and other specifically chosen individuals.

Although they may appear to be legitimate, the links or attachments in these emails frequently include malicious software. After being opened, the malware has obtained access and has the potential to provide a threat to network security.

Websites that fraudulently assert that a system’s software is obsolete and requires updating are another prevalent origin of infection. Users are directed to the websites by the use of pop-up advertisements, newly opened browser windows, or newly opened browser tabs.

Subsequently, they are subjected to deceptive adverts promoting updates for widely-used software. Engaging with hyperlinks frequently exposes the machine to malware, which can subsequently spread to the network.

Given the constant emergence of new types of malware, it is unsurprising that one of the primary methods they employ to infiltrate computers and networks is by exploiting security weaknesses present in obsolete software and hardware.

Furthermore, once malware infiltrates your network, it quickly identifies and exploits weaknesses, targeting both data and other devices, such as computers. Previously, the primary objective of malware, particularly ransomware, was to launch several attacks on individual machines with the intention of disrupting bigger networks.

History of Malware

In the 1940s, Hungarian mathematician John von Neumann created a self-replicating computer program, which can be considered the earliest form of computer viruses, although they were not identified at that time. Although it was never fully developed, this application established the foundation for future computer viruses.

Programmer Bob Thomas developed the Creeper software in 1971, which is widely recognized as the initial computer virus, to assess the security of ARPANET. The infected screens exhibited a congenial message and made an effort to remove themselves. Ray Tomlinson then responded with Reaper, which was the initial antivirus software.

In the 1970s and 1980s, more malevolent viruses such as the Rabbit Virus and the ANIMAL program, which contained concealed malware, became prevalent. Fred Cohen is credited with originating the term “computer virus” and delving into the concept of beneficial viruses.

The first PC virus, called Brain, emerged in 1986 and displayed a message during the starting process. During this time, there was a significant increase in the prevalence of worms such as the Morris Worm, which inadvertently led to extensive disruptions in computer networks.

Antivirus technologies, such as McAfee’s VirusScan, were developed in the late 1980s to counteract these threats. During the 1990s, there was a significant increase in the prevalence of macro viruses, and one notable example was the Melissa virus. Instances of social engineering attacks, exemplified by the Love Letter virus, also started to emerge.

In the 2000s, increasingly advanced and complex dangers emerged. In 2001, Code Red made an effort to disrupt the Internet, and it was followed by Fizzer, which was the first virus driven by financial motives. In 2004, Cabir specifically focused on attacking cell phones, whereas Stuxnet, which was uncovered in 2010, was the initial cyberweapon sponsored by a government and aimed at Iran’s nuclear facilities.

Ransomware experienced a significant increase in the 2010s, with CryptoLocker demanding large sums of money in the form of Bitcoin. Petya and its version, NotPetya, inflicted extensive harm, whereas WannaCry took advantage of a weakness in the Windows operating system. GandCrab and Ryuk have developed as highly effective ransomware variants, employing data breaches and advanced strategies.

Malware in the new era

Malware has evolved significantly, and if you believe that it has become antiquated due to its infrequent occurrence in computer system infections, you are mistaken. In the past, malware would appear on your computer and display harmful alerts that might immediately identify a malware infection. However, modern malware has gotten more covert, requiring you to perform an antivirus scan in order to detect the infection.

Currently, the majority of individuals are using their mobile phones, therefore banking trojans, one of the biggest threat as of today, pose a significant risk to Android smartphones. Banking trojans masquerade as ordinary applications such as QR code scanners, fitness monitors, or even replicas of popular apps like Instagram.

The malevolent application requests user permissions to enable monitoring of activities in other applications, subsequently generating overlay screens for authentic applications. This enables them to obtain login credentials and even multi-factor authentication (MFA) tokens.

In addition, the era of assuming that Macs are immune to viruses and that they are inherently secure has undoubtedly come to an end. There are numerous indications that hackers are recognizing the platform’s growing popularity and are conducting assaults that can affect both Windows and Mac users simultaneously.

Contrary to antiquated notions, malware targeting Macs has always been there, however it was regarded as less severe due to the prevalence of Mac malware being adware or potentially unwanted programs (PUPs).

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