Viruses, adware, rootkits, and other forms of malware are all forms of malicious software that are designed to cause harm to your computer. Fortunately, there are many ways to protect yourself against this danger.
Phishing Attacks
Typically, phishing attacks are conducted via email. In addition to exploiting known security vulnerabilities, phishing uses tactics such as misdirection, forgery, and lying to gain access to personal information. Besides stealing personal information, threat actors also install malware on the infected device.
The first step to protecting against phishing attacks is identifying the attack type. There are three direct phishing attacks: standard email, spear, and voice.
Spear phishing is a targeted email attack that targets specific individuals or organizations. It requires a lot of intelligence to pull off.
In this attack, the malicious actor sends a fraudulent email that appears to come from a trusted source. Often, this email will request the recipient to review a document or to provide account information. The sender may also ask the recipient to wire money.
The goal of a phishing attack is to get the victim to download or install malware on the infected machine. This can be done by sending links to password-protected documents or redirecting the link to a malicious website.
Malvertising
Using the Internet has become increasingly easy for criminals to get their hands on stolen information. Malvertising is one of the many ways criminals have taken advantage of this.
Malvertising is a form of cybercrime involving malware distribution through online ads. These ads are designed to look like regular advertisements but can infect users’ computers.
Malvertising often uses ad networks like Google to spread malicious ads. However, most website owners need to learn who buys ads next to their content.
These ads are very effective for hackers in spreading malware to users. In a typical malvertising campaign, the attackers choose a popular website or content to place their ads. They then use a “steganography” attack to redirect users to a spoofed website.
The ad may also direct users to a landing page that prompts them to install the software. This software could be spyware that spies on their activity or a keylogger that sends their login credentials to the hacker.
Computer viruses
Viruses are malicious programs that damage your computer, data, or software. They can also steal your private information. They can be distributed through email attachments, websites, and other methods. They can infect a Mac, Windows, Linux, or Android device. Computer viruses, worms, ransomware, and spyware are some examples of malware. These malicious programs steal, encrypt, and delete private information. They also change or hijack fundamental computer operations and track end users’ online behavior.
They have become so destructive that the annual cost of malware is estimated at over $55 billion. Sometimes, they can even disrupt your computer and make your system crash regularly.
The most common method of spreading a virus is via an email message. Some viruses can also attach themselves to legitimate software or software packs. These programs can be downloaded from the Internet, code repositories, or compromised application stores.
Other computer viruses include web scripting viruses, infecting a browser, and executing JavaScript. Another type of virus is a boot sector virus. This type of malicious software infects the master boot record on a hard drive or a USB thumb drive.
Adware
Whether browsing the Internet, downloading software, or reading emails, you’ve probably encountered malware or adware. Both are harmful to your computer and the privacy of your personal information.
When a user installs an adware program, it may change the homepage of the web browser, redirect users to a malicious website, or collect and store sensitive user information. The data collected by the adware can be shared with advertisers without the user’s knowledge or consent.
Adware may also generate revenue for the developer. This can come from two sources: the ads it displays and the clicks it generates. Typically, adware serves deceptive advertisements. Some adware, such as Rafotech’s Fireball, floods users with ads.
Some adware programs install new toolbars, extensions, and pop-up windows to a browser. These applications are usually bundled with free or fee-to-use software.
Some adware programs can add spyware and malicious programs to your system. Some adware can collect sensitive information like your bank account or credit card numbers. The adware’s authors can use these to track your activity and serve more targeted ads.
Rootkits
Originally, rootkits were maliciously modified administrative tools for Unix-like operating systems. These tools could be used to gain full system privileges and hide activity from standard operating system security tools.
Today, a more specialized type of rootkit has emerged. These programs are designed to take over the entire system, allowing an attacker to control the computer and perform malicious activities.
To install a rootkit, the hacker must have access to the system’s hardware. This makes them difficult to remove, although the good news is that they are relatively difficult to detect.
Malware distributors, cybercriminals, and APT groups often use these programs to gain computer control. They can be used to install spyware, ransomware, and other malicious software. They also act as keyloggers, allowing the hacker to record every key press.
Ransomware
Usually, ransomware is malicious software that encrypts or locks data on your computer. Then, it demands money in exchange for the decryption key. It can also block your access to your computer or device. Fortunately, you can fix the problem.
Typically, ransomware attacks are distributed through phishing emails. These malicious emails include a link that enables the download of a malicious program. Once the malware is downloaded, the attacker can exploit the system and network vulnerabilities to infect the victim’s machine.
The victim may have to pay hundreds of dollars in ransom to restore their files. Some malware encrypts files with asymmetric encryption. These files can only be opened with a mathematical key that the attacker knows. Once the victim pays the ransom, the encrypted data is unlocked.
