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Cybersecurity mastery: understanding malware and hacking techniques
Cybersecurity mastery requires a deep understanding of the tactics employed by attackers, particularly in the areas of malware and hacking techniques, as well as the defenses used to thwart them.
Malware: types and characteristics
Malware, or malicious software, encompasses a wide range of programs designed to infiltrate and harm computer systems without the user’s consent. Understanding the various types of malware and how they operate is crucial for building effective defenses.
Common types of malware include:
Viruses: Attach to legitimate programs and spread when the host program is executed. They can corrupt, delete, or encrypt data.
Worms: Self-replicating programs that spread across networks without needing a host program, often exploiting vulnerabilities to infect other systems.
Trojans (Trojan Horses): Disguised as legitimate software, they contain hidden malicious code. When activated, they can steal data, create backdoors, or install additional malware. For example, CryptoLocker is a Trojan horse that encrypts user files and demands payment.
Ransomware: Encrypts a user’s data or locks them out of their system and demands a ransom payment for decryption. WannaCry, for instance, used a Windows vulnerability to spread rapidly and encrypt files in 2017.
Spyware: Secretly monitors user activity, gathering sensitive information like login credentials and browsing history for unauthorized use. Keyloggers, a type of spyware, record keystrokes to steal passwords and other data.
Adware: Displays unwanted advertisements, often in the form of pop-ups, potentially slowing system performance and leading to malicious websites or further malware infections.
Rootkits: Gain administrative-level control over a system while remaining hidden, enabling attackers to spy on users, install other malware, and perform various malicious actions.
Botnets: Networks of infected devices controlled by a cybercriminal for coordinated attacks like Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks or sending spam.
Fileless Malware: Resides in a computer’s memory rather than on the hard drive, making it harder for traditional antivirus programs to detect.
