Malware & Ransomware
1. Defining Malware Types
Malware (Malicious Software) represents any program designed to damage, exploit, or gain unauthorized access to computer systems. The main types include:
• Viruses: Attach to clean files and require user interaction (like running a program) to execute and propagate.
• Worms: Standalone malicious programs that self-replicate and spread across networks automatically without human intervention.
• Trojans: Disguise themselves as legitimate software but execute malicious payloads in the background.
2. Ransomware and Mitigation
Ransomware is specialized malware that encrypts files on the target machine, rendering them completely inaccessible, and displays a ransom note demanding cryptocurrency payment for the decryption key.
Mitigation strategies:
• Rule of 3-2-1 Backups: Keep 3 copies of data, on 2 different media types, with 1 copy stored completely offline (so ransomware cannot reach it).
• Patching: Regularly update operating systems and applications to close vulnerabilities that malware exploits to install itself.
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