What is Malware?

Many times, when your computer behaves abnormally, you may wonder, "Is my computer infected with a virus?" But it was threatened by Malware...

In fact, viruses are just one part of malware, which is software designed to cause harm to our computers. Nowadays, the capabilities of malware attacks extend beyond computers to include smartphones and tablets.

What is malware?

Malware stands for "Malicious Software," a collective term for computer programs created with malicious intent towards computers and networks, using different forms and methods. Generally, there are approximately 7 types of malware that everyone should be aware of:

• Virus

  A virus is designed to harm computers and files within the system. When a virus-infected file is opened, it replicates by modifying other files on the computer, eventually rendering the system unusable and finally shutting the computer operation down.

• Computer Worm

  A computer worm is a self-replicating file that can spread from one computer to another by networks, such as the Internet or E-mail. This continuous spread leads to mass duplication and eventual damage to computers.

• Trojan Horse

  This type of malware deceives users by appearing as safe software. Once installed, it allows the installation of additional malware, often used for subsequent attacks, such as data theft or password stealing.

• Rootkit

  A set of malware was created to steal system administration rights by intervening through system vulnerabilities. Once installed, Rootkits are challenging to detect and remove.

• Backdoor

  A backdoor is like a system or software vulnerability to allow external parties to access internal data. Once a computer is compromised, external parties can steal various information and even delete data.

• Spyware

  Designed to secretly collect system data, especially sensitive information. Spyware is often used for various malicious purposes, including identity theft.

• Ransomware

  It was developed to access files and lock them, requiring negotiation with the malware creator for a decryption key. This type of cyber threat has caused significant damage worldwide.
  
  

Ransomware is considered one of the most severe cyber threats, and its prevalence continues in the present day. According to the complaint resolution center of the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), in the year 2020, they received 1,783 complaints related to ransomware, causing damages exceeding 2.3 million dollars. The actual number of incidents is likely higher, considering unreported cases.

In Thailand, Kaspersky, a Russian cybersecurity company, disclosed that Thailand was the second most targeted country for ransomware attacks, ranking second in the Asia-Pacific region. In the past year (2022), Kaspersky detected over 300,000 ransomware incidents in South-East Asia, with 82,438 cases successfully identified was detected in Thailand which affected sectors include aviation, education, banking, and healthcare.

In a world where technology is an integral part of daily life, and the internet is a necessity, online data has become more crucial than ever. Malware is a powerful tool that can harm everyone. House of Dev Technology prioritizes data security, making it a fundamental aspect of the company. We urge all internet users to be vigilant about the security of their personal data and to use the internet responsibly every day.

References

Office of Information Technology, CU

Thaiware Communication

Krungthep Turakij

Manager Online