What is Malware and How to Defend Against It

 What Is Malware?

Malware (malicious software) is designed to disrupt the normal functioning of a computer or other device. It is an umbrella term for viruses, trojan horses, and other destructive computer programs that attackers use to compromise systems and networks, sabotage systems, and gain access to sensitive information.

Malware is usually a file or piece of code, often passed over a network, which can infect systems, steal data, grant unauthorized access, and otherwise advance an attacker’s goals. With millions of variants of malware commonly seen in the wild, there are many ways to infect a computer system. 

• Malware typically has one of the following goals: 

• Giving the attacker remote control over the infected system.

• Investigating the local network and helping attackers perform lateral movement.

• Identifying and granting access to sensitive systems and data, and exfiltrating data.

• Stealing funds using accounts or credentials on the victim’s device.

• Using the victim’s device to perform illegal or unwanted activities, such as sending spam or mining cryptocurrency.

Ransomware is rapidly growing in importance and becoming a top priority for security professionals. It is another type of malware that encrypts files on a victim’s computer and requires a ransom in exchange for a decryption key, which, even if the victim pays up, is often not provided. Global-scale ransomware attacks have illustrated the devastating impact that malware can have on individuals, organizations, and entire industries.

This is part of an extensive series of guides about hacking.