Malware is malicious software, program or code that is specifically designed for infecting a server or a network of computers. Cybercriminals develop various types of malware programs that damage and disrupt system functioning (with unauthorized access).
According to a report by Symantec, mobile malware has emerged as one of the biggest threats to an enterprise’s security credentials. It was claimed that the number of new mobile malware variants increased by 54% in the year 2017, with the overall malware variants increasing by 88% in the same year. These concerning figures have increased the need and importance of cyber security solutions and mobile security solutions for enterprises.
According to the leading cyber security companies, cyber criminals use various types of malware to infect the IT infrastructure of enterprises. Some of them include:
- Viruses and Worms
Computer viruses are one of the most reported types of malware that infect stored system files. They are exclusively developed by cybercriminals and hackers to modify legitimate host files in such a way that when a user file is executed, the virus is also executed simultaneously. According to the leading cyber security consulting firms, installing legit and powerful antivirus programs provides efficient protection to the systems against many kinds of viruses.
On the other hand, a computer worm is a malicious program with self-replicating tendencies. It is a type of malware that can spread throughout the network of computers without any human assistance.
- Trojan
Trojan, or popularly known as Trojan horse, is a malicious software that misguides the user of its true intent. It is a type of malware that is often impersonated as a legitimate software (Antivirus in most cases). According to cyber security experts, Trojan has replaced worms over the period of time to emerge as a weapon of choice for hackers and cyber criminals. It is usually delivered via e-mails and infected websites.
- Ransomware
Ransomware is a complicated type of malware that spreads via e-mails, infected attachments, and compromised websites. It is a malicious software that takes over the system to encrypt the stored files. It then prevents the user from accessing files until a ransom amount is paid.
- Spyware
Spyware is an unwanted software that infiltrates computing devices to steal sensitive user or company information. It is mostly used by hackers for gaining access to security passwords, intellectual property, bank details, and credit card information.
According to reports, an enterprise can incur losses of almost $2.4 million due to a malware attack. Thus, it is important for enterprises to take appropriate precautionary and security measures to safeguard their sensitive data against malware attacks.
