What Types of Malware Are There? Explaining the Risks and Countermeasures

As the threat of cyberattacks grows, it’s important to deepen your understanding of malware. Malware is becoming increasingly diverse, and it’s necessary to know how to respond to each type of threat.

This article explains the types of malware, the specific risks involved, and effective countermeasures.

What is Malware?
The Difference Between Malware and Viruses
Types of Malware
1. Trojan Horses
2. Worms
3. Ransomware
4. Spyware
5. Scareware
Risks Associated with Malware Infection
1. Business Interruption
2. Financial Damage
3. Decline in Brand Power
4. Business Shutdown
Countermeasures Against Malware Infection
1. Implementing Basic Security Software
2. Thorough Security Training
3. Regular Security Checks
Conclusion

1. What is Malware?

Malware refers to malicious software or code that installs on hardware and operates to cause harmful effects to the hardware owner or other third parties, or to unfairly benefit attackers.

To run malware, it’s generally necessary to install the software on the target. In recent years, the methods used to install this software have become more sophisticated and elaborate, requiring even greater caution.

2. The Difference Between Malware and Viruses

A similar term used with malware is virus (computer virus).

Viruses have long been a threat, invading target hardware and causing some kind of malfunction. In conclusion, a virus is a type of malware.

As mentioned above, malware is a general term for malicious software created by attackers. Like email software or document creation software, it starts as a standalone software on the installation destination and attacks the hardware.

A virus is also a type of malicious software, but its characteristic is its attack method. Viruses rewrite the code of the software they infect, causing damage such as deleting files or encrypting them without permission.

Also, a virus doesn’t end with infecting one piece of hardware; it has the ability to spread the infection to other devices connected to the infected data or hardware. Therefore, it is frightening that if the virus is not isolated at an early stage, the attack will spread one after another.

3. Types of Malware

In addition to computer viruses, there are several other types of malware. Here are some of the main types of malware that have been reported worldwide.

3-1. Trojan Horses

Trojan horses are malicious software that can be said to be the representative of malware. It appears to be harmless software at first glance, but when you download and start the software, it suddenly starts attacking the hardware.

When the existence of malware was not as well known as it is now, many users mistook it for safe software and were infected with Trojan horses. Even now, the method of trying to get users to download software disguised as famous software has not disappeared, and it can still be said to be malware with a high threat level.

3-2. Worms

Worms are malware that attacks by exploiting vulnerabilities in each software and OS. A characteristic feature is that it can self-replicate like a virus, and can increase from hardware to hardware without user intervention.

3-3. Ransomware

Ransomware is malicious malware that demands a ransom from infected users. When infected with ransomware, it locks specific files or all systems on the hardware and does not accept any operation until the ransom is paid.

This has become the mainstream method in recent cyberattacks, and even if the ransom is paid, there is no guarantee that the lock will be released, or even if the system is restored, the data itself will be leaked, resulting in enormous damage.

3-4. Spyware

Spyware is a type of malware that does not carry out overt attacks on users, but leaks information or uses computer resources without permission behind the scenes.

Attackers can monitor all of the user’s hardware usage history in real time, and the information exchanged is also leaked, which can cause serious information leaks.

It is extremely difficult for users to visually check whether they are infected with spyware, so they may be suffering enormous damage without realizing it.

3-5. Scareware

Scareware is designed to entice users by saying things like, “Your computer is infected with a virus!” and installing software that is disguised as security software.

It is known as a malicious attack method that involves paying for security software that has no particular security effect or infecting the user with malware disguised as security software.

4. Risks Associated with Malware Infection

What specific risks are targets exposed to due to malware infection?

4-1. Business Interruption

If a company’s system goes down due to malware, it will not be possible to continue operations until the recovery is complete. In recent years, as business digitization has progressed, businesses can be easily stopped if security measures are neglected.

Such damage is fatal to public services such as hospitals and organizations that provide critical infrastructure, and may even cause a major disaster involving human lives.

4-2. Financial Damage

If a system is locked by ransomware, recovery cannot be expected unless money is paid. It is necessary to convert cash into virtual currency and pay it, which may significantly damage working capital.

4-3. Decline in Brand Power

Being cyberattacked or suffering damage is something that is required to be reported to the police in Japan, at least. Publicly announcing cyberattack damage may damage brand value, but hiding the fact that damage has been suffered can lead to an even greater decline in brand power.

Since it is not possible to eliminate cyberattacks, it is necessary to take measures in advance so that it can be announced that the damage from an attack was kept to a minimum in the event of an emergency.

4-4. Business Shutdown

If cyberattacks cause information leaks, financial payments, and system shutdowns, it is possible that in the worst case, recovery will not be possible and business will have to be stopped.

In order to avoid such a situation caused by a single attack, it is important to thoroughly strengthen cybersecurity on a daily basis.

5. Countermeasures Against Malware Infection

What countermeasures should be considered in order to reduce the risk of malware infection as much as possible?

5-1. Implementing Basic Security Software

It is not possible to eliminate the risk of malware infection, but installing security software is essential to reduce the possibility.

Many attacks can be easily avoided by simply installing general security software. In order not to increase the risk unnecessarily, it is important to promote the introduction of basic software.

5-2. Thorough Security Training

Malware infection is often caused by human error by employees.

In addition to strengthening the system, it is also important to provide thorough security training for employees who use the system, and to ensure that rules are followed to avoid risks.

5-3. Regular Security Checks

It is not necessary to do this every day, but it is important to perform regular maintenance and invite a specialized third-party organization to evaluate security.

By listening to on-site analysis and improvement points from experts, you can consider what measures are needed at a high level.

Conclusion

This article explained the types of malware and effective countermeasures. If you understand what types of attack methods there are, you can prevent infection in advance or p
roactively consider measures to reduce risks.

First, check your company’s countermeasures and identify what improvements can be made.

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