Malware
From Computing and Software Wiki
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'''Malicious software (malware)''' encompasses a broad range of software typically designed to ''covertly operate'' and ''deceive users'' to hide its actual intended purpose. It can be used as a catch-all phrase for software that has been programmed for malicious purposes intentionally, software such as viruses, [http://www.cas.mcmaster.ca/wiki/index.php/Computer_worms worms], spyware, and [http://www.cas.mcmaster.ca/wiki/index.php/Botnets botnets]. Its purpose can vary, but typically it is used to gather information, generate profit, cause harm or data loss, or it could have no real purpose at all. | '''Malicious software (malware)''' encompasses a broad range of software typically designed to ''covertly operate'' and ''deceive users'' to hide its actual intended purpose. It can be used as a catch-all phrase for software that has been programmed for malicious purposes intentionally, software such as viruses, [http://www.cas.mcmaster.ca/wiki/index.php/Computer_worms worms], spyware, and [http://www.cas.mcmaster.ca/wiki/index.php/Botnets botnets]. Its purpose can vary, but typically it is used to gather information, generate profit, cause harm or data loss, or it could have no real purpose at all. | ||
[[Image:malware.jpg|frame|Partial source code from a malware example.]] | [[Image:malware.jpg|frame|Partial source code from a malware example.]] | ||
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==History== | ==History== | ||
| - | Before computers were accessible to the general public, malware was not an overwhelming threat. As computers became more common throughout the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s malware saw an equal amount of growth. Malware spread through early networks, such as [http://www.cas.mcmaster.ca/wiki/index.php/ARPANET ARPANET], and it continued to the days of the early internet. It was not limited only by networks, diskettes and other shared media helped in | + | Before computers were accessible to the general public, malware was not an overwhelming threat. As computers became more common throughout the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s malware saw an equal amount of growth. Malware spread through early networks, such as [http://www.cas.mcmaster.ca/wiki/index.php/ARPANET ARPANET] <sup>[1]</sup>, and it continued to the days of the early internet. It was not limited only by networks, diskettes and other shared media helped in its distribution. After the internet became prevalent, malware could spread easily to a large number of computers. New kinds of malware emerged taking full advantage of the internet. With access to a vast amount of computers money making malware, such as adware, became successful, only adding more motivation for malware authors to create new and different malware. As of late, security companies are suggesting the number of legitimate software created now equals, or is surpassed by software created for malicious purposes. <sup>[2]</sup> |
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==Purpose== | ==Purpose== | ||
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Hidden malware's key feature is its ability to hide itself within a computer system, without the consent or notice to the user. | Hidden malware's key feature is its ability to hide itself within a computer system, without the consent or notice to the user. | ||
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trojan_horse_(computing) Trojan horses] | * [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trojan_horse_(computing) Trojan horses] | ||
| - | * [http://www.cas.mcmaster.ca/wiki/index.php/Rootkits | + | * [http://www.cas.mcmaster.ca/wiki/index.php/Rootkits Rootkits] |
The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2005_Sony_BMG_CD_copy_protection_scandal Sony BMG CD copy protection scandal] revolves around a [http://www.cas.mcmaster.ca/wiki/index.php/Rootkits rootkit], designed by Sony, to interfere with the normal playback of CDs using Microsoft Windows. The software installed itself whenever a user put one of these CDs into their computer. This problem was then compounded once malware authors took advantage, and used this vulnerability for their own purposes. | The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2005_Sony_BMG_CD_copy_protection_scandal Sony BMG CD copy protection scandal] revolves around a [http://www.cas.mcmaster.ca/wiki/index.php/Rootkits rootkit], designed by Sony, to interfere with the normal playback of CDs using Microsoft Windows. The software installed itself whenever a user put one of these CDs into their computer. This problem was then compounded once malware authors took advantage, and used this vulnerability for their own purposes. | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
| - | *[http://www.viruslist.com/en/viruses/encyclopedia?chapter=153280684 http://www.viruslist.com | + | *1. History of viruses [http://www.viruslist.com/en/viruses/encyclopedia?chapter=153280684 http://www.viruslist.com] |
*[http://www.tietoturvaopas.fi/en/index/uhatjaniidentorjunta/haittaohjelmat.html Safe on the internet] | *[http://www.tietoturvaopas.fi/en/index/uhatjaniidentorjunta/haittaohjelmat.html Safe on the internet] | ||
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2005_Sony_BMG_CD_copy_protection_scandal Sony DRM wikipedia] | *[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2005_Sony_BMG_CD_copy_protection_scandal Sony DRM wikipedia] | ||
Revision as of 00:32, 13 April 2009
Malicious software (malware) encompasses a broad range of software typically designed to covertly operate and deceive users to hide its actual intended purpose. It can be used as a catch-all phrase for software that has been programmed for malicious purposes intentionally, software such as viruses, worms, spyware, and botnets. Its purpose can vary, but typically it is used to gather information, generate profit, cause harm or data loss, or it could have no real purpose at all.
Contents |
History
Before computers were accessible to the general public, malware was not an overwhelming threat. As computers became more common throughout the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s malware saw an equal amount of growth. Malware spread through early networks, such as ARPANET [1], and it continued to the days of the early internet. It was not limited only by networks, diskettes and other shared media helped in its distribution. After the internet became prevalent, malware could spread easily to a large number of computers. New kinds of malware emerged taking full advantage of the internet. With access to a vast amount of computers money making malware, such as adware, became successful, only adding more motivation for malware authors to create new and different malware. As of late, security companies are suggesting the number of legitimate software created now equals, or is surpassed by software created for malicious purposes. [2]
Purpose
There are numerous reasons why malware is written, but it usually involves one illicit purpose or another. The following are some generic purposes where most malware falls under.
Obtaining sensitive information
Malware can be used to gather sensitive information. With the recent expansion of mobile computing, malware authors are targeting mobile computers, such as smart phones, because of the amount of sensitive information contained within them.
Obtaining financial returns
Malware can be used to generate illicit revenues, usually by hijacking ad revenues or using previously mentioned sensitive information to the benefit of the malware user.
Cause harm or data loss
The most common use of all, malware can be used to cause damage to a computer system in one way or another.
No real purpose
Sometimes malware authors create software that has no intended purpose what so ever.
Types with examples
Malware is rarely one type or another, typically it is composed from a combination of several distinct types. The following outlines some of the basic types of malware:
Infectious
Infectious malware gets its name from its method of propagation. Similar to biological viruses, infectious malware spreads itself by self-replicating on some medium, whether it be a computer network or computer system. The following examples are typical types of infectious malware:
The melissa virus falls under this category. The software propagated itself using a vulnerability in Microsoft Word documents, where macros within the word document would execute commands. With this vulnerability the virus was able to mass email itself once the file was opened on an unsuspecting users computer.
Hidden
Hidden malware's key feature is its ability to hide itself within a computer system, without the consent or notice to the user.
The Sony BMG CD copy protection scandal revolves around a rootkit, designed by Sony, to interfere with the normal playback of CDs using Microsoft Windows. The software installed itself whenever a user put one of these CDs into their computer. This problem was then compounded once malware authors took advantage, and used this vulnerability for their own purposes.
Deceptive
The most bothersome, deceptive malware preys on users who may not be as tech-savvy as others.
- Adware
- Spyware
CoolWebSearch deceives the user, pretending to be useful software. After it is installed, CoolWebSearch takes over services usually served by other applications. It can also be used to show ads, either through pop ups or ad injection.
Prevention
References
- 1. History of viruses http://www.viruslist.com
- Safe on the internet
- Sony DRM wikipedia
- CoolWebSearch Information
