Malware, short for malicious software, refers to any program or code designed to infiltrate, damage, or exploit computers, networks, or devices without the user’s consent. It includes a wide range of threats such as viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware, spyware, and adware. The intent behind malware can vary, from data theft and espionage to system disruption or financial gain.
How It Works
Malware typically enters systems through phishing emails, infected downloads, malicious websites, or compromised software updates. Once inside, it can execute harmful actions such as encrypting data (in the case of ransomware), logging keystrokes, stealing credentials, or creating backdoors for continued access.
Attackers often disguise malware as legitimate files or software to bypass detection. Some advanced variants use polymorphic techniques, changing their code signatures to evade antivirus tools.
Business Impact
For enterprises, malware is one of the most common and damaging cybersecurity threats. A single infection can disrupt operations, cause data breaches, and lead to reputational or financial losses. Ransomware attacks, in particular, have targeted hospitals, government agencies, and large corporations, demanding payment to restore access to critical systems.
Beyond direct damage, malware incidents can trigger regulatory penalties if customer or financial data is exposed. The cost of downtime, recovery, and system forensics can also be significant.
Defence Strategies
-
Endpoint protection: Deploy advanced antivirus and endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools.
-
Email security: Use filters and sandboxing to prevent malicious attachments and links.
-
User awareness: Train employees to recognise phishing and social engineering attempts.
-
Patch management: Regularly update software and systems to close known vulnerabilities.
-
Backup and recovery: Maintain secure, offline backups to minimise the impact of ransomware.
Considerations
Malware is constantly evolving. Businesses should adopt layered security models that combine preventive, detective, and response capabilities. Integration of threat intelligence and AI-driven analytics can enhance detection accuracy and speed.
