Malware: What exactly is it and how can you protect yourself?

This article will tell you more about:

• What is malware?
• The difference between malware and computer virus
• Types of malware that can be encountered
• The reasons behind malware attacks
• Implications for SMEs
• How to protect yourself against malware

Malware: a hidden evil

Malware, also known as malicious software or malicious software, is a cyberattack method that runs through a computer program installed without the user's knowledge. The malware runs rampant in the background while the user goes about their daily business.

With the rise in malware attacks, it is important for SMB managers and employees to understand what malware is and be aware of its implications.

Malware or computer virus?

The term computer virus is very common in popular language and is used to refer to a wide range of malware that can attack our electronic devices.

In fact, a virus is a form of malware. Like a biological virus, a computer virus attacks computer code, which in a human's case is DNA, to insert its own malicious code and spread to the infected machine.

How malware works

As mentioned earlier, malware infiltrates a user's device without their knowledge. Depending on its nature, it then performs a variety of operations, ranging from extracting confidential data to monitoring and even disseminating advertising on the infected device.

Malware can invade an electronic device in several ways. This could be through a phishing email , a download, or a web ad on a legitimate site that leads to an unprotected website that then injects code.

The cybercriminal can also exploit the malware to insert himself between communications and exchanges between users or between servers, this is called a man-in-the-middle attack .

Furthermore, it's not just computers that are susceptible to malware. Any device with an internet connection can be infected. With the ever-increasing use of mobile internet and the Internet of Things (IoT), online criminals are able to reach an ever-increasing number of devices. These devices can then be integrated into a botnet as part of a denial -of-service attack , for example.

What are the different types of malware that we can encounter?

There are a variety of malware that can infiltrate your device without your knowledge. We've already covered viruses, which usually hide inside legitimate software or documents. They then produce copies and spread throughout the infected machine.

However, there are a variety of malware, each with its own specific characteristics. Here are a few.

1. Trojan horse

This malware takes its name from the ruse in the war of the same name, in which Greek soldiers hid in a huge wooden horse to invade the city of Troy. The Trojan seeks to deceive the user who downloads it by pretending to be a program or software that it is not. Most of the time, they are spread through social engineering, for example, by tricking a user into downloading an infected attachment using a fraudulent email.

Once the Trojan is downloaded, it can then destroy user documents or allow hackers to access sensitive information.

2. Computer worm

This type of malware's sole purpose is to multiply through the devices it infects. Most often, it will spread through a computer network that it has successfully penetrated by exploiting a security vulnerability. This is why it's important to protect your internal network. Worms can cause a multitude of network problems, from bandwidth consumption to file modification on computers.

3. Cryptovirus

Also known as ransomware, this type of cyberattack is increasingly prevalent in the world of cybercrime. It is a malicious software that threatens the user with publishing the company's data or blocking all the data it contains. In exchange, the hacker demands a ransom to unlock the data or not disclose the information they threatened to reveal. This is purely a form of extortion.

4. Malware and SMEs

As you probably know, large companies invest billions of dollars in cybersecurity and are devoting more and more resources to protecting their systems. However, they are aware that some small and medium-sized businesses lack the necessary means to protect themselves. This is why this type of business is the most targeted by cyberattacks.

On the other hand, the rapid evolution of information technologies in recent years makes it increasingly difficult to keep one's knowledge up to date and follow good cybersecurity practices.

Finally, while large companies generally have the resources to recover from a malware attack, the opposite can be true for smaller organizations. These attacks represent enormous financial costs in addition to intangible costs such as lost customers or damage to their brand image. Have you ever wondered if you can recover from a cyberattack?

How to protect yourself against malware

There are several ways to protect yourself from malware. In fact, it's important to maximize your risk tolerance by combining the many tools at your disposal. Norton , a company specializing in cybersecurity software, offers advice on how to reduce the risk of malware attacks.

The first thing you need to focus on is establishing good security practices in your business. There are small, everyday actions and precautionary measures you can take that will greatly increase your resilience.

Next, it's important to update your software regularly. These updates serve, in part, to fix security vulnerabilities that can be exploited by cybercriminals. Yes, sometimes it takes a long time and it seems like they never arrive at the right time, but it's a necessary practice.

Also, back up your data regularly. You need to be prepared for the worst; you never know when you might be the victim of a cyberattack. With proper backups, you'll be able to get back on your feet quickly.

Finally, equip yourself with a tool that allows you to analyze the attachments in emails you receive. Many phishing attempts are made through emails that appear legitimate, but are only intended to trick you into downloading a compromised file. In this case, even if an employee makes a mistake, the threat can be stopped before any damage is done.

Nexxo can help protect you against malware

Have any of the points discussed in this article raised questions about your organization's cybersecurity? Contact us now; the initial consultation is free. Together, we'll assess how to improve your company's cybersecurity posture.