Malware - A Deeper Dive
Malware Basics
2/19/2024
What Is Malware?
Malware causes harm to a computer system or network. Malware might include Ransomware, Spyware, Adware, Viruses, Trojans, Worms, etc.
Ransomware is designed to encrypt a victims computer data making it inaccessible to the user without a password. The unsuspecting user is supposed to pay a hacker some sort of ransom, usually crypto. Once the ransom is paid the hacker is suppose to supply the user with the password to de-crypt their data. Sometimes entire networks can be locked down using this ransom method causing businesses or corporations to suffer huge losses in revenue as well as the cost to pay the ransom.
Spyware is software used to collect user data like user-names and passwords, credit card information, etc. A Key-logger is a form of Spyware used to record a victims keyboard strokes. When your system is infected with this type of malicious software every key stroke can be recorded and sent back to a hacker who can see everything you typed on your keyboard.
Adware is designed to flood your system with ads. If infected with adware you will usually see advertisements pop-up constantly on your screen while you surf the internet. Adware can be attached to some other piece of software that is downloaded and installed from the internet and is more of an annoyance than anything else.
Viruses are malicious code usually activated when a user clicks an executable file (.exe file). Viruses may cause your computer to become slow, inoperable, or even deny access to your computer. Websites can also be infected with viruses simply because they are made of multiple files sitting on a server, and a server is just a computer used to serve-up files to other computers making a request, ie web pages.
Trojans present themselves as legitimate software. However, a trojan is really a form of virus that opens back-doors in systems allowing them to be infiltrated by other malicious software.
Worms, unlike other types of malicious software, don’t need a host system to operate. They are designed to create connections between systems allowing them to infect and move freely from computer to computer. Worms can corrupt files, use large amounts of system resources like RAM and bandwidth, and they can steal data.
There are many different antivirus/malware programs available to help monitor your computer and detect the threats discussed above. Some offer free versions. However, keep in mind a free version may lack options like automatic scanning or automatic updates. If you prefer not having to manually run these options you will have to pay a fee to utilize the automatic features. If you don’t have a problem with running manual scans and checking periodically for updates then a free version is the way to go. Some of these programs can be resource hungry, meaning they may have an adverse affect your computer making it painfully slow to use. It is a good idea to know your system specifications in advance to help you determine whether or not a virus/malware program will slow your computer. Things to consider are the system processor (or CPU...measured in GHz) and the amount of RAM (measured in GB) installed on your system.
Malware/Virus software:
Below are four examples of malware/virus software, in no particular order. Simply click the name to be taken to their respective website for more information.
*Undatti does not receive compensation from these vendors. These examples are only to give you an idea of some of the malware/virus software available for use.
Do your own research to determine which software offers the features you want at the price you are willing to pay. Or find software that offers a free version.
It may be advisable to use a free version at first to judge the impact it has on your computer. If you are happy with your computer’s performance while running the software you can then make the decision to pay for the software or continue with the free version!
