Malware is a blanket term used to describe many different types of security breaks. Today, we’re going to focus on going over the different types of malware so you know the vocabulary and how to identify different types (even though we hope you never have to).
What Is malware?
The thing about malware is that are so many different types, called variants, that it can be really hard to understand what it is at its core. Truly, malware is malicious code used to cause a negative impact on your network. Most threats are distributed through phishing attacks, which is a way to scam users into allowing access to the network. Here are some of the most common malware types:
Computer Virus
Viruses let onto a computer can corrupt data, change or reformat hard drives or even shut down your system entirely. This is not a new type of malware but they are still frequent and bothersome. These are often used to bog down computers, steal data or even create botnets
Worm
Worms are a very common type of malware and are self-replicating pieces of code that jump from one system to the next. Hackers use worms often because they move fast and can execute malicious code easily.
Trojan Horse
Trojan horse threats, also referred to as trojans, are used to trick people. They enter under a network under a false pretense, as something not dangerous and unpack their threats later. Trojans are used to install malware, modify or change files, steal data, log user activity and keystrokes and more. They can’t be replicated on their own, so they are often combined with worms.
Spyware
Spyware is used to track browser activity and user movement. It can even track keystrokes, making it easy for hackers to steal credentials and sensitive information. If it is combined with more legitimate software, spyware can be really difficult to detect.
Adware
Adware is one of the malware types that makes itself known. This type of malware displays unwanted ads, redirects you to sites you don’t want to visit and collects data ll while doing so. It can even get in and change your browser settings.
Ransomware
Ransomware locks down your files and data and will only unlock them if a certain amount of money is paid. This is one of the most dangerous forms of malware and can be business-ending. Sadly, it’s also one of the most popular forms of malware.
Protect Your Business
While these threats will not stop, you can surely prevent them from impacting your business. MyTek offers security tools with multi-layered strategies, so we can protect you from every angle. Give us a call today to learn more about the types of malware and how we can install malware prevention tools like firewalls, antivirus, spam filtering and more. Our phone number is 623-312-2440, look forward to speaking with you!