6 Types of Malware You Need To Be Aware Of

You’re probably thinking, “why do I need to know about malware? Isn’t that the job of my IT team?”.

Before the days of the internet, most viruses were distributed through physically inserting a device into a computer. A simple solution of installing an antivirus software, and the computer was protected.

What a treat!

Fast forward to today, the power of the internet has created so much opportunity that hacking has basically become a lucrative profession.

Breaking things, stealing information and stealing money is an effortless task for most cyber criminals through sending phishing emails and such like.

It is a daily (if not hourly) occurrence for all businesses, because they take advantage of those within the business who’s knowledge of cyber threats is lacking, leading to the opening of malicious links, emails and files.

No matter how small you are, no matter how much money you make or what industry you are in – your business is always a target.

There are a number of things that can be done to protect your business from dangerous malware but education and being aware of the different types is your first defensive weapon.

Here are 6 you need to be aware of:

1 – Viruses

Viruses infect other files. They can delete them and reformat them, making things very difficult for the user.

To make things more difficult, they often replicate themselves and flood networks, making the simplest of tasks a mammoth job.

Clean up can be tricky, and in some cases impossible. It’s important to find the infected files and rid them from your computer system.

2 – Worms

Like viruses, worms replicate themselves. However, a worm is more advanced, and they exploit other software to do their job for them, continuing to duplicate, spread and infect the computer.

A worm can enter your system by a user simply opening an infected email. That’s it, one click and your whole network is affected.

3 – Trojans

Trojans are the new and improved worms.

They come in the form of an email attachment, one that looks so authentic it will not be surprising that you or your colleague were caught out.

Once opened, your system is infected.

This is why education is so important. If your team can spot such emails, that choice to ignore and delete the message and its attachment can save a whole lot of trouble.

4 – Hybrids

Whilst hybrid cars have a good reputation, do not think the same for the malware.

All of the malware above we have just spoken about, imagine them mixing together to create one big mega malware.

The disguise of a Trojan with the power of a worm – terrifying!

5 – Spyware

Bet you can’t guess what this one does?

Spyware monitors your activity online. The websites you visit, what you type, everything – yes, this means your passwords too.

It is another type of malware that is activated when you click on something you shouldn’t or by downloading media from unreliable sources.

Whilst its simpler to remove, there is still a big risk you’ve given away a lot of information.

6 – Ransomware

Ah ransomware, feared by even the most experienced IT professionals.

Ransomware steals your data and encrypts it, making it completely illegible. The hackers will then hold it hostage until you pay them a rather hefty fee.

Most of these attacks are Trojan, meaning its triggered by accident. Whether that’s by clicking a file or a webpage. These intruders can be hiding in your systems for quite some time too.

They’re not easy to recover from as the financial impact can be huge – and that’s without paying the ransom.

Back ups and education are vital. Particularly at the moment, these attacks are becoming increasingly common.

 

And there you have it.

From unproductivity to bankruptcy, these are good enough reasons to get on top of building your cyber security layers within your business.

We don’t want to scare you with all the facts and figures, but it’s so important that you know these can happen to anyone at any time. Your business will always be a target.

Its important your business has the right tools and support it needs to be safe before an attack.

Prevention is better than cure, as they say.

If you need some advice, consult with our team to find out the best blend of software, training, and procedures to keep your business safe.

We’re here to make it easy for you, so let us do the hard work.