Malware Characteristics

The characteristics that each class of malware can demonstrate are frequently alike. For example, a virus and a worm may both use the network as a transport media. However, the virus will search for files to contaminate while the worm will just try to copy itself. The subsequent part explains the characteristics of malware.

a) Malware is multifunctional and standard:

There are numerous varieties of malware that can be used together or individually to accomplish a malicious actor’s goal. New features and additional capabilities are easily added to malware to modify and improve its functionality and impact. Malware know how to place itself into a system, compromise the system, and then download extra malware from the Internet that supplies added functionality. It can bypass security measures such as firewalls and anti-virus PROTECTION, and it can use encryption to OVERRIDE detection or cover its means of operation .

b) Malware is user-friendly:

Malware is obtainable online at nominal price thus making it potential for anyone to acquire. There is a strong underground market for its sale and purchase. Moreover, malware is user-friendly and allows attackers with an ability to initiate most sophisticated attacks outside their skill rank.


c) Malware is determined and capable:

Malware is progressively harder to identify and remove and is efficient at defeating built-in information security counter-measures. Some classes of malware know how to defeat strong forms of multi-factor authentication and others have been able to challenge the strength of digital certificates.

d) Malware capable to impact a range of devices:

Since malware is nothing more than a piece of software, it can affect a range of devices, such as personal computers or Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) to servers all over different types of networks . All these devices, together with the routers that permit traffic to move all over the internet to other end points, are potentially vulnerable to malware attacks.

e) Malware is part of cyber attack system:

Malware is being used both as a primary form of cyber attack and to maintain additional forms of malicious action and cybercrime such as spam and phishing. On the other hand, spam and phishing can be used to promote distribute malware.

f) Malware is money-making:

Malware is no more simply a fun game for script kiddies or a field of study for researchers. Today, it is a dangerous business and source of income for malicious actors and criminals all over the world. Malware, jointly with other cyber tools and techniques, supplies a low cost, reusable technique of conducting highly profitable cybercrime.