What is:Malware/pt

O que é Malware

Malware - é um nome comum para vários tipos de software, projetado para obter acesso não autorizado a dispositivos de computação (computadores, smartphones etc.) ou redes e/ou prejudicar intencionalmente os usuários desses dispositivos. Assim, o software é definido como malware, dependendo do objetivo de seu uso, e não da metodologia ou tecnologia específica em que esse software se baseia.

Objetivos do uso

Os primeiros programas de malware foram criados como um experimento ou por diversão. Hoje, o software malicioso é mais frequentemente usado para roubar informações - financeiras, pessoais ou relacionadas a negócios. O software malicioso pode ser usado para ataques a organizações (penetração em uma rede local) e até mesmo a um país, bem como para roubar informações específicas sobre um indivíduo (roubo de dados bancários, detalhes de acesso a vários serviços, etc.).

A maioria dos vírus e worms existentes no momento é projetada para obter controle sobre o dispositivo atacado (computador, smartphone etc.). Depois disso, o dispositivo monitorado pode ser usado para enviar spam, armazenar informações ilegais (por exemplo, pornografia infantil) ou para realizar ataques de outros tipos.

Classificação de malware

Alguns produtos de malware podem pertencer a vários tipos ao mesmo tempo; esses programas geralmente têm características de cavalos de Tróia e worms e, às vezes, vírus também. Normalmente, um programa malicioso é entregue ao usuário final como um cavalo de Tróia, mas após o lançamento ele se conserta no dispositivo do usuário e infecta arquivos executáveis ​​de outros programas, ou seja, age como um vírus; ele também pode atacar outros dispositivos pela rede, ou seja, agir como um worm.

Viruses

A computer virus is a program hidden in other software, usually useful or harmless. Viruses are able to create copies of themselves and insert them into executable files of other programs. A virus usually performs some malicious action - for example, data theft or destruction.

Worms

A computer (network) worm is software that copies itself to other computers through a computer network in order to distribute itself. Usually, gaps in operating systems or network settings are used for this.

Spyware

Spyware is software whose purpose is to steal private information from a computer system for a third party. Spyware collects the information and sends it to an attacker.

Trojan horses

A Trojan horse (or simply 'a Trojan') is a malicious program that disguises itself as a regular useful program or an app to convince the victim to install it. A Trojan horse usually carries a hidden destructive function activated when the Trojan-laden application starts. The term is derived from an ancient Greek story about a Trojan horse used to covertly invade the city of Troy. Unlike computer viruses and worms, Trojan horses usually do not try to embed themselves in other files or otherwise spread themselves.

Logic bombs

A logical bomb is a malicious program that uses a trigger for activating malicious code. A logic bomb does not work until this trigger event occurs. Once launched, a logic bomb injects malicious code that harms the computer. Cybersecurity experts recently discovered logic bombs that attack and destroy equipment components on workstations or servers, including cooling fans, hard drives, and power supplies. The logic bomb overloads these devices until they overheat or fail.

Ransomware

A screen blocker is a pseudo-police program that locks the screen on the device and informs the user that he or she is ostensibly accused of collecting illegal content, trying to scare the victim and make him or her pay the "fine".

Rootkits

A rootkit is a malicious program that hides its presence with the help of a low-level modification of the infected system. Rootkits can prevent the appearance of their executable process in the list of system processes or block reading of their files.

Backdoors

A backdoor is a malicious program that provides access to the infected device by means of bypassing normal authentication procedures, usually through a network connection. After a system (computer or subnet) is hacked, a backdoor can be installed to provide access to the hacked system in the future, invisibly to its user.

Adware

Adware is a type of malware that redirects your browser to an advertising web page without your consent. Often these pages try to download other malware. As cyber security experts say, adware is often found in so-called free programs, such as games or browser extensions.

Cryptojacking

Cryptojacking is malware that uses power of your device (e.g. computer) to mine cryptocurrencies without your knowledge. Such mining software may run in the background on your operating system or even like JavaScript in a browser window.

Malvertising (Malicious Advertising)

Malicious advertising is using legitimate advertisements or ad networks to deliver malware. For example, a cybercriminal may pay for placing an advertisement on some website. When a user clicks on this ad, the code in the ad either redirects the user to a malicious website or installs malware on the victim's computer. In some cases, malware embedded in such ads can run automatically without any user’s action - this method is called "boot from disk".

Methods of Infection

Security Gaps in Software

Malicious software may use security flaws (vulnerabilities) in the operating system, individual applications, or application extensions (plug-ins). A common method of infection is to exploit the buffer overflow vulnerability.

Overly privileged users and overly privileged code

In computer systems, different users and programs have different privileges as to how they can influence the system. In poorly designed systems, users and programs can be given too high privileges without explicit need for it, and malicious software can take advantage of this.

Insecure system settings or user errors

Insecure settings include, for example, ability to autoload from removable media (USB, CD, DVD, etc.). User errors are actions of the device user, which lead to infection. Most often, these actions include launching programs of dubious or obviously dangerous origin (cracks and keygens for paid software, opening email attachments, etc.) without checking them first.