What is malware?

Every day thousands of systems are infected by different types of malware. Malware is a type of harmful program that is used to disrupt the normal functioning of the system, steal confidential information, illegally intrude into a protected computer network system, monitor you, reduce the performance of your device or damage all important data on your device. Malware in simple words is harmful software.

What is the damage to the website if the malware attack?

• The appearance of the website may change (Defacement).

After various websites are hacked, it is seen hacked by such and such. Or see the Funny Pictures homepage. That is, hackers deface the website.

• Hacked websites can redirect my website traffic to other websites through malicious scripts.
• Backdoor can create users to login to the website without your knowledge, we often see many unusual user accounts in website database which are usually created through backdoor. Hackers can gain access to our website using this user account, tampering with website files, deleting files and even removing the entire website.
• Backlink spamming through comments including SEO Spamming by placing sperm content on the website. This can damage our website traffic. The server may become slow.
• Through many malicious scripts, the bandwidth of the website is consumed very quickly and at some point, the website may be disconnected from the database and the website may go down.

Types of Malware-

Malware is basically of different types But the malwares that we usually encounter are viruses, trojans, ransomware, spyware, worms. Different types of malware damage computers in different ways. These are briefly discussed below –

1. Spyware

It is inserted into any system or computer without the user’s knowledge. Its main function is to monitor you and deliver all your confidential information to the hacker. Spyware usually gains access to our system by downloading any software from an unknown source. Some popular spyware are: Key loggers, Adware, Browser hijackers, Rootkit etc.

2. Ransomware

Ransom basically means ransom. Ransomware is a type of malware virus that attacks your computer device and encrypts all your files on the computer’s hard drive. In most cases, the malware will lock all the files on your computer with a key so large that it will be technically impossible to unlock it. By doing this you will no longer be able to access your files. The most attacked ransomwares are respectively- CryptoLocker, WannaCry, CryptoWall, Locky, Petya, CryptXXX, notPetya etc.

3. Trojan

Trojan viruses usually attack by downloading anything onto the computer. Sometimes malicious links in emails can spread Trojan viruses. This is a type of malware that will present itself to you in a highly effective, organized and attractive manner. And you will install the program enthusiastically. These trojan malwares are able to delete, edit, modify the data on your device. It even has the ability to steal all passwords stored in your browser. There are many types of Trojan such as: Backdoor Trojan, (DDoS) Trojan, Downloader Trojan, Remote access Trojan etc.

4. Worms

A computer worm is a type of malware whose primary function is to replicate itself and infect other computers. It usually attacks from any software vulnerability. If it somehow gets into your computer, it will make many copies of itself and slow down your system. And if you copy something from your computer to another computer, it will infect that computer too and literally create thousands of its own files and folders with the same name repeatedly, slowing down your system. Also can delete and modify various files. There are many types of worms such as: Cryptoworms, Internet worms, Instant messaging worms, Email worms, File Sharing Worms.

5. Backdoor

The word backdoor means a back door, i.e. creating another user in the absence of the user of any website or system and this backdoor virus damages any computer or website with access to it. Various types of damage are done through backdoor virus such as: Website defacing, Server hijacking, Data theft etc.

How does malware infiltrate our computer systems?

Malware can enter our devices in various ways. But we ourselves are the main role behind all this Because of our carelessness, malware can enter our devices. Now the question is how can malware enter your computer or system? The most common source for your computer to be infected with malware these days is the Internet. If you have visited a malicious website on the Internet, downloaded any pirated software, games or malicious content, clicked on ads on various websites, malware can also enter your computer by opening malicious emails. Also, can spread through any external source like pen drive, CD drive.

How to stay safe from malware?

• Do not use cracked/nulled software: – One of the reasons for falling victim to malware attacks can be due to using this cracked software for free Most of us download all the required software for free from various unofficial sources on the internet Very easily, any malware or virus binds with the software and runs on our computer.
• Do not open mails or files from unknown sources: – Various types of mails are constantly coming from different places and we open the mail without understanding. Or if someone gives a link/file, I open that link/file without checking anything the link/file may be created in such a way that the malware will automatically install itself on your device as soon as it is opened.
• Software should always be kept up to date: –We should always keep our software up-to-date so that viruses cannot attack us from the vulnerability of a backdated file.
• Antivirus or firewall should be installed on the computer: – Our computer must have antivirus or firewall installed. So that if any malicious script or virus is injected into my system then our computer system will not allow the file to run.

Computer files and software should be backed up regularly: – Regular backup of all the files and software of our computer must be kept, in case any of our files or system is hacked, then we can recover from the files kept in our backup.