Malware, Zero-day Malware, and Ways To Prevent Them: An Overview

What Does Malware Mean

Malware refers to any malicious software that is intended to cause damage or operational disruption to the host computer. It may also be used to steal personal or professional information by bypassing access controls in the host computer.

There are many different types of malware in existence. Some of the common forms of malware are worms, viruses, Trojans, spyware, adware, and rootkits, etc., which can attack and damage, disable, or disrupt host computers and networks.

Common Types Of Malware:

Viruses

Almost all viruses are attached to a seemingly benign executable file which means that virus may exist on a computer but will not spread until a user opens a malware-infected program. Viruses often originate on the internet when downloading a file infected with a virus, peer-to-peer file sharing or email attachment.

Trojan

A Trojan is a small piece of malicious software code or program that looks legitimate. Users are typically tricked into downloading and executing it on their computer systems. A Trojan can not only steal your sensitive data, but they can also give cyber criminals access to your computer, financial and personal information.

Ransomware

Ransomware holds your PC as a hostage and demands money. It locks up your computer, threatening to wipe all your data demanding ransom or payment for the release of your data, files or to regain the ability to use your computer again.

Spyware

Spyware secretly gathers sensitive information about the user activity such as the internet activity and logs keystrokes via the process of keylogging to steal passwords and other sensitive information.

Worms

Worms can replicate themselves and infect multiple computers on a network causing major damage. Network worms often use computer networks to spread thereby slowing down network traffic. They rely on security failures such as outdated operating system and absence of antivirus programs to start the attack.

In contrast, viruses require the spreading of the infected host file or program. Worms are standalone software and do not need a host file or human help to spread.

Zero-day Malware

Zero-day malware is designed by hackers who have taken advantage of a previously unknown vulnerability in the host systems or applications.

Hackers design zero-day malware to target a specific security flaw (zero-day vulnerability) in a software application or host system and then use that malware to compromise the host system or cause unusual behaviors to occur on the software.

The infamous WannaCry attack which disrupted several organizations and forced many to shut down operations is an ideal example of the security risks posed by zero-day malware.

The Current State of Malware Attacks

Most of the malware attacks that occur today are blended attacks, i.e., a combination of one or more attacks. Nowadays malware relies heavily on social engineering, in which hackers try to deceive people into disclosing private information or performing specific actions, such as downloading and executing files that appear to be benign but are actually malicious.

Newer forms of malware do not neatly fit into any specific category like a virus, spyware, adware, etc. For example, in the growing trend of web-based malware, also known as drive-by-download, a user’s web browsing is redirected to an infected website, often with little or no use of social engineering techniques.

Once the user visits the infected website, it then tries to install rootkits or other attacker tools onto the user's device by exploiting security vulnerabilities in the user's device. Although the site is infected, its malware does not infect the user’s device directly; instead, it functions as a hackers tool and installs other malicious tools onto the user's device.

What Does It Do?

If your computer has malware, you have probably fallen for some type of internet scam. Hackers can use malware for activities like cyber-vandalism, cyber espionage, hacktivism, cyber warfare and various other reasons.

The overwhelming majority of malware programs are created to make money illegally, often by stealing sensitive and confidential information from victims' computers and mobile devices.

Malware can do a lot of things such as stealing the sensitive data stored on your computer, giving hackers access to your computer, financial and personal information, holding your computer system as a hostage and demanding money, secretly gathering sensitive information about your internet activity and keystrokes, etc.

From stealing private information to disrupting computer operations, damages caused by malware were manifold.

Malware Can Disrupt IT Operations

Malware not only pose a variety of security risks to computer assets, such as disrupting computer operations, gathering sensitive information, etc., they can also disrupt entire IT operations of an organization.

New variants. New tactics. Malware is still dominating the world of IT and cybersecurity. Not only have we seen an increase in malware attacks on organizations demanding more money, but the level of sophistication in that malware has also increased, as well.

BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policies implemented by organizations are exposing the IT infrastructure to new and more powerful types of malware. The traditional security solutions used by IT organizations were designed to protect the computers and network of that organization, not the personal smartphones and tablets that employees bring to the workplace today.

With BYOD and malware attacks both increasing, there is a dire need for organizations to address security with advanced tools. Managing BYOD devices is not an easy task. A standalone security solution won't be sufficient in this scenario since the security perimeters tend to be undefinable and ever-changing in case of BYOD. This is where Comodo Advanced Endpoint Protection comes into play by providing centralized security measures with additional layers of protection at endpoints.

Comodo Advanced Endpoint Protection (AEP) comes with antimalware, antivirus, firewall, Host Intrusion Prevention System (HIPS) software package and containment engine that prevents malware attacks by examining and sandboxing suspicious apps and processes. It helps IT admins to maintain greater control over all endpoints and also helps block threats effectively.

Comodo AEP is the only endpoint security solution that provides hour-zero auto-containment technology by isolating all unknown file types including zero-day malware while keeping confidentiality, integrity, and availability in context, all without compromising performance or productivity.

Comodo AEP is an all-in-one endpoint security solution that secures all your servers, desktops, laptops, and mobile devices from known and unknown malware–without requiring signatures or updates.

If you are interested in Comodo Advanced Endpoint Protection, contact EnterpriseSolutions@comodo.com or +1 888-256-2608.