Malware
Malware is intrusive software designed by cybercriminals to steal data or harm systems (Cisco). |
Types of malware
Adware |
Displays unwanted advertisements on your screen. |
Spyware |
Observes your computer activity and reports it to the attacker. |
Viruses |
Infects files or system areas and spreads by self-replicating |
Worms |
Spreads by self-replicating without user action. |
Trojans |
Masquerades as legitimate software while executing malicious actions. |
Ransomware |
Encrypts systems and data, demanding ransom for decryption |
Rootkit |
Gains admin access and is difficult to remove. |
Keyloggers |
Programs that log keystrokes. |
Malicious crypto miners |
Uses your computer to mine cryptocurrency for attackers |
How to get Malware
1) Opening a malicious email attachment.
2) Visiting unsafe websites.
3) Downloading files from untrusted sources.
4) Clicking malicious links in messages (e.g., WhatsApp, Facebook).
5) Using unknown USBs, SD cards, or CDs |
Never use USB memory sticks that you may have found in common areas. They may have been planted there intentionally for you to find with the hope you would insert them into your computer
Zero-day Attacks
A zero-day attack exploits an unknown hardware, firmware, or software vulnerability with no available immediate fix |
Advance persistent threat
An Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) is a long-term, stealthy attack on networks by nation-states, state-sponsored groups, or organized crime, aiming for intelligence, military, or financial gains. |
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Viruses
According to CISA, a virus infects files or system areas and self-replicates |
Virus Symptoms
Slow performance |
Corrupted or missing files |
Pop-up and adware |
Program and operating crash |
spinning hard drive |
System malfunctions |
Effects:
Stolen personal information & Lost account access
Ransomware
Malware that encrypts files, making them and related systems unusable.
Ransomware encrypts files, demanding payment for decryption. It’s a major threat to all industries, often spread through phishing emails with malicious attachments. |
Denial-of-Service (Dos) Attacks
A Denial-of-Service (DoS) attack disrupts systems, devices, or networks by overwhelming them with traffic, preventing legitimate access. This can halt business operations, affect services like email, websites, and messaging, and result in financial loss. Attackers may be motivated by financial gain, hacktivism, or system access attempts |
Distributed DoS (DDos)
A Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attack occurs when multiple hijacked devices overwhelm a target system. Attackers exploit vulnerabilities to control these devices and direct them to flood the host with traffic |
Signs of a DoS/DDoS Attack:
Slow network performance |
Inaccessible websites |
Inaccessible servers |
Failed authentication attempts |
Avoiding DDoS/DoS Attacks
1) Use antivirus software on personal devices.
2) Enable a firewall for protection.
3) Secure your devices vulnerabilities on hardware/ software |
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