Concept of Malware
What is malware?
Malware (malicious software) are programs or code created to infiltrate, harm computer systems, steal data, or disrupt devices. It is one of the biggest threats in the digital age, significantly impacting both individuals and organizations.
Why is malware dangerous?
Malware becomes a major threat due to its sophisticated and diverse attack methods, easily bypassing traditional security measures. The serious consequences include:
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Supply Chain Attacks: Malware targets partners and suppliers, disrupting not only businesses but the entire ecosystem.
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Exploitation of AI and Automation: Malware incorporates AI to attack faster, bypassing current security systems, causing greater damage.
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IoT Attacks: Malware exploits security vulnerabilities in IoT devices, disrupting processes and directly impacting business operations.
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Theft of Personal Information: Malware collects sensitive data such as bank accounts and credit cards, damaging credibility and causing significant losses.
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Attacks on Healthcare Sector: Ransomware attacks on hospitals disrupt treatment processes and threaten patient privacy.
According to the McAfee 2023 Report, malware has increased by 20%, causing billions of dollars in damages, particularly targeting the financial, healthcare, and manufacturing sectors. This highlights the need to implement proactive security measures and continuously update defenses.
Notable attacks caused by malware
Notable attacks caused by malware Malware doesn't just exist in theory but has indeed caused dangerous attacks globally. The following two examples illustrate the hazardous nature of malware:
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WannaCry: Exploited the EternalBlue vulnerability in Windows OS, infecting over 200,000 devices in 150 countries within a few days. WannaCry encrypted data and demanded ransom in Bitcoin, severely disrupting organizations, especially the NHS (National Health Service) in the UK, with damages up to hundreds of millions of USD (Source: BBC, 2017).
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NotPetya: Unlike WannaCry, NotPetya aimed to destroy rather than ransom. This malware targeted the global supply chain, causing over 10 billion USD in damages to major corporations like Maersk and Merck, paralyzing business operations (Source: Wired, 2017).
These examples not only clarify the destructive power of malware but also emphasize the importance of investing in robust security solutions. As threats become increasingly sophisticated, organizations need to proactively deploy protective measures to minimize risks and damages.
Common Types of Malware
Malware comes in various forms, each designed with specific purposes and attack methods. Below are the most common types of malware, along with how they operate and their impacts:
Type of malware
1.Ransomware
Ransomware is an extremely dangerous type of malware designed to encrypt data and demand ransom from victims to decrypt it. It is one of the biggest security threats today, capable of infecting systems through emails, downloaded files, or unpatched security vulnerabilities. Once it infiltrates a system, ransomware locks all critical data, disrupting operations and posing a serious threat to business stability.
Read more: Types of Ransomware Email Attacks in 2024.
2.Trojan
Trojan is a sophisticated type of malware, often disguised as legitimate applications to trick users into downloading them unknowingly. After infiltrating and being activated on the system, Trojans can perform numerous dangerous actions, such as stealing sensitive information including bank accounts and passwords, or opening a "backdoor" for hackers to control the system remotely. A typical case is the Emotet malware, a dangerous Trojan that caused significant damage in 2023. This attack particularly targeted organizations in the financial and healthcare sectors, resulting in billions of dollars in losses. In Allentown, Pennsylvania, local authorities had to spend over 1 million USD to mitigate the aftermath, demonstrating the destructive power of this malware (Source: McAfee, 2023).
3. Spyware
Spyware is a type of malware designed to collect user information without consent. Often infecting systems through free applications or downloaded files from untrustworthy sources, spyware secretly infiltrates and monitors users' online activities. This type of malware can alter search results, collect personal data such as passwords or credit card information, and thus pose significant risks. A prominent example is CoolWebSearch, a variant of spyware, famous for tracking web browsing behavior and manipulating search results. The presence of this software not only annoys users but also poses high security risks, especially for those who frequently download applications from unclear sources (Source: Kaspersky, 2023).
Main Causes of Malware Infection via Email
Email is one of the most common channels for malware to infiltrate systems, using sophisticated attack methods aimed at user negligence. The following reasons show how malware exploits email to infect and cause harm.
Phishing Emails
Phishing emails are designed to look like they come from trustworthy organizations or individuals, playing on the user's complacency. These emails often contain malicious links or requests for sensitive information, paving the way for malware to enter the system. This is one of the most common attack methods, particularly targeting individuals or businesses without strong security measures.
Malicious Links
Malicious links are links disguised or embedded with malware, often appearing in emails or on unverified websites. Attackers take advantage of users' lack of caution, causing them to click on these links without any suspicion. When users access these links, they may exploit security vulnerabilities in the browser or prompt the download of malicious software, thus infecting the system without the user's knowledge.
Malicious Attachments
Besides links, email attachments are also a powerful tool for spreading malware. Word documents, Excel files, or PDF files that appear harmless can actually be embedded with malware. When users download and open these files without verifying their source, the malware is activated, spreading quickly throughout the system.
Social Engineering Attacks
Social engineering through email exploits user psychology to perform intrusive actions. Attackers may impersonate business partners or acquaintances, requesting dangerous actions such as downloading files, providing sensitive information, or even granting access to the system. This misplaced trust allows malware to easily infiltrate and cause damage.
Effective Ways to Prevent Malware
Malware spreads via email through common methods like phishing emails, malicious attachments, links leading to dangerous websites, and social engineering attacks. To effectively prevent this, users can refer to the following preventive measures.
Identify and Avoid Phishing Emails
Phishing emails are designed to mimic reputable organizations and deceive users. To avoid them:
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Carefully check the sender's email address, especially those with slight differences from the official domain name (e.g., "support@banking.com" instead of "support@bank.com").
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Do not provide personal information, passwords, or financial details via email, especially when there are urgent requests or unclear information.
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Verify through another channel if you receive a strange request from an email, such as calling the organization or partner directly.
Check Attachments Before Opening Malicious attachments are a common tool for spreading malware. To protect the system:
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Only download and open files from trusted sources. If unsure about an attachment, delete the email or contact the sender.
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Use malware scanning software to check files before opening. Security software can detect and block potential malware as soon as the file is downloaded.
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Avoid opening files from unknown senders or files with strange extensions like .exe, .vbs, .scr.
Beware of Malicious Links
Links in emails can lead to malicious websites or exploit security vulnerabilities in the browser. To ensure safety:
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Carefully check URLs before clicking on links
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Do not click on links from unwanted or suspicious emails, especially if they prompt to download software or provide personal information.
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Use secure browsers and security tools to verify the trustworthiness of websites.
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Train Awareness on Social Engineering Social engineering exploits user psychology to deceive and infiltrate systems. To counteract these attacks:
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Enhance employee training on recognizing signs of social engineering attacks, including unusual requests from "partners" via email or phone.
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Verify unusual requests via email: If there are requests to download files or provide sensitive information, verify through other communication channels like phone or in-person meetings.
Implementing these preventive measures can temporarily reduce the risk of malware infection via email, but to effectively deal with increasingly sophisticated threats, stronger security solutions are needed. To optimize protection, businesses should adopt modern email security solutions integrated with artificial intelligence (AI) like EG-Platform from VNETWORK. EG-Platform provides the capability to detect and block threats from phishing emails, malicious attachments, and dangerous links, ensuring comprehensive protection for the enterprise's email system and enhancing malware prevention effectiveness.