is an example of a legitimate global company distributing malware. <\/span><\/p>\nMalware is often most inflicted on a server or network via a downloaded file; it has existed almost since the existence of computers themselves. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nSee also <\/span>rootkit<\/span><\/i>. <\/span><\/p>\nMalwareless Attack \/ Non-Malware Attack<\/b><\/h3>\n
A non-malware attack lives in a world all on its own. It is still malware in the sense that it is a program running on a user\u2019s computer without their permission, working against their interests. But unlike the majority of malware throughout history, a non-malware attack uses existing software, allowed applications, and authorized protocols to carry out its malicious intentions. They do not require downloading a file in the initial phases, and are thus referred to as fileless, memory-based, or \u201cliving-off-the-land\u201d attacks.<\/span><\/p>\nNon-malware attacks take advantage of vulnerable software that a typical end user would leverage on a day-to-day basis, such as Flash Player or Microsoft Office-suite applications; the successful exploit grants access to the computer\u2019s native operating system tools. This gives the attacker a huge degree of freedom within the infected system, allowing them to take control with relative ease. <\/span><\/p>\nThe issue with non-malware attacks is not that they are hidden so much as that they operate in plain sight\u2014by using native applications and not downloading files in the initial phases, traditional anti-malware solutions typically can\u2019t prevent them or even detect them, which means an increased dwell time and thus more damage. This has proven successful over the past few years: the Democratic National Committee hack was accomplished via a non-malware attack. <\/span><\/p>\nSolutions providers have developed or are developing detection and prevention methods for non-malware attacks. The most commonly utilized prevention solution is to use streaming logs to look for incongruous behavior and activity in conjunction with regular activity, a clear sign of non-malware attacks. SIEM solutions and their log capabilities are often the most effective in this regard.<\/span><\/p>\nPhishing <\/b><\/h3>\n
Phishing refers to any attempt by hackers to obtain vital information\u2014credentials or direct financial information\u2014by impersonating a trusted entity in an electronic communication. This can be in the form of an email, instant message, or direct message, and often purports to be from a bank, social media site, or IT administrator. Phishing messages will ask users to input their credentials on a forged \u00a0website that looks legitimate, and by doing so the user unintentionally hands hackers their information. <\/span><\/p>\nWhile there are many different kinds of phishing techniques, the most commonly employed is called <\/span>spear phishing<\/b>. This refers to phishing attempts that target a specific individual or company, using personal information gathered online to fool the victim into trusting it. If this is done on an upper-level executive the technique is called <\/span>whaling<\/b>. <\/span><\/p>\nWhile solutions can certainly help prevent phishing emails through machine learning, a good deal of prevention can come from employee training. Employees should not click on emailed links or give their information to websites, even to trusted websites; the most talented phishers can mask the true identity of their weblinks as legitimate ones. Users should also be on the lookout for spelling mistakes in official communications, as these are typically red flags. <\/span><\/p>\nIf a user is in doubt about the legitimacy of an emailed request for verification from a legitimate company, they should call that company to make sure the request is real. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nRansomware<\/b><\/h3>\n
Arguably the most well-known form of malware, ransomware (as the name suggests) ruthlessly holds a computer\u2019s or network\u2019s data hostage for a ransom. If the user doesn\u2019t pay the cybercriminal the ransom within a certain amount of time, their data will be deleted and lost forever. Supposedly, if the ransom is paid the victim will receive the tool or encryption key to access their data. Ransoms can range in amount from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. <\/span><\/p>\nThere are actually three distinct families of ransomware, distinguishable by how the computer or network is held hostage:<\/span><\/p>\nScreen Locking Ransomware<\/b>: The user is unable to move off or out of the screen demanding payment. Files may still be accessible outside the screen, but the user is prevented from leaving until paying. With some IT expertise, this ransomware may be bypassed. <\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\nEncryption Ransomware<\/b>: The user can still move within the computer\u2019s operating system but cannot access any files due to encryption. Without the encryption key, these files are generally impossible to recover, granting even more power to the hacker. <\/span><\/p>\nFake Ransomware<\/b>: This is a bluff tactic, the suddenness and scariness of which is designed to intimidate users into paying. However, the screen is not locked and the files are not encrypted. This is still a threat in that an external malicious actor has gained access into your network, but it is a much less serious threat than its brethren.<\/span><\/p>\nSome ransomware, regardless of family, will try to disguise itself as an official entity such as the FBI and IRS. The ransomware will attempt through this masquerade to intimidate users by accusing them of some crime or violation and demanding payment as punishment for that crime. No official government organization operates in this fashion; users should not fall for these ploys. <\/span><\/p>\nAll security experts agree on one thing when dealing with ransomware: <\/span>do not pay the ransom<\/span><\/i>. Ransomware is a one-sided relationship. You cannot trust the hacker to have a sense of honor. While paying the ransom may result in the return of your files, they could also demand more money after the initial payment or lock your files again later on. <\/span><\/p>\nIf you are infected with ransomware, do not panic. Alert the authorities and your solution provider if you have one. Disconnect your computer from the network if possible; ransomware may also be programmed as a worm to spread to all computers in your network. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nRansomware can be difficult to detect; they are often hidden deep in innocent-looking files. As a prevention method, keep your files backed up on a separate server or drive. Do not open attachments in emails unless you are sure the sender can be trusted, ignore spam emails, and train your employees to maintain these digital hygiene practices.<\/span><\/p>\nRootkit<\/b><\/h3>\n
The definition of rootkit can be contentious, but it is generally understood to be malware designed gain unauthorized access to a server and conceal its existence. Essentially, it uses a vulnerability to hack into a system, give privileged access to the hacker, and then cover up all of its activities. <\/span><\/p>\nWhat makes rootkits insidious is that they essentially give the hacker the ability to modify the existing software of the computer including the software that would normally detect such blatant breaches, undermining their capabilities and making removal incredibly difficult. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nRootkits, like all malware families, are numerous in form and capability. Some solutions can detect some forms of rootkits\u2014often through behavior or user analysis\u2014and even remove them. However, many rootkits will remain firmly entrenched in the compromised system despite these efforts. In those cases, a total rebuild of the compromised system (physically or via digital software) may be necessary, as there is no way to be sure a rootkit has been totally removed otherwise. <\/span><\/p>\nRootkits are file-based, and therefore monitoring and carefully selecting what is installed on your computer can help prevent them. Solutions that carefully control system permissions and continually apply security patches are usually the most fortified against rootkits. <\/span><\/p>\nSpyware<\/b><\/h3>\n
A branch of malware that is itself an umbrella term for malicious programs such as keyloggers, remote access trojans, and backdoor trojans\u2014software that allows remote surveillance of passwords and other sensitive data without the user being aware their information is being collected. Spyware can trace user actions, collect hard drive information, and even monitor your keyboard typing. Firewalls are designed in part to prevent them and anti-malware scanners are designed in part to detect and remove them. \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nTrojan Horse (\u201cTrojan\u201d)<\/b><\/h3>\n
As the name suggests, a trojan is any malicious program–malware, ransomware, spyware, etc\/–that poses as a legitimate program or download to disguise its intentions. Usually this can be in the form of a seemingly innocuous download from a reputable company. <\/span><\/p>\nGenerally, trojans operate as backdoors, opening the network or server for hackers to enter unchallenged or exposing personal information. Other trojans turn the infected computer into a proxy, so the hacker can use the Internet for illegal purposes while all the incriminating evidence is attached to the hacked IP address. Anti-malware solutions can generally prevent, detect, and remove Trojans, as they are file-based attacks. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nVirus<\/b><\/h3>\n
While often used to referred to all forms of malware, the term \u201cvirus\u201d actually applies to the specific kind of malware that replicates itself and spreads from host to host. Viruses need a file or document on the victim\u2019s computer to replicate, and therefore cannot be a non-malware attack. <\/span><\/p>\nViruses require human action to be spread, either knowingly or not, which can be through an emailed link, a infected download, or a removable hard drive. Viruses can delete, add, copy, encrypt, or modify files or manipulate core functions. <\/span><\/p>\nAnti-malware solutions are often designed to fight viruses directly, but virus innovations have made them harder to detect and remove. <\/span><\/p>\nWorm<\/b><\/h3>\n
A worm refers to any piece of malware that replicates itself to spread to other computers or servers on a network, using security failures and vulnerabilities to infiltrate them. Unlike a virus, worms do not need human action to spread and don\u2019t need to copy itself to a host program to replicate. Worms by themselves don\u2019t do harm beyond consuming bandwidth. However, many worms will harbor a \u201cpayload\u201d attachment that can delete files, inflict ransomware attacks, or install spyware depending on their purpose. <\/span><\/p>\nFirewalls, anti-virus, and anti-spyware solutions can help prevent worms so long as they are regularly updated to patch vulnerabilities. Worms are often propagated on zero-day attacks. <\/span><\/p>\n
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