Data security is the core of any business around the globe. Any threat to confidential data can lead to a series of serious problems. Malware is by far the biggest threat to any enterprise. It can directly affect the presence of a business in the competitive market. From your workforce’s productivity to your company’s profitability, malware attacks can impact everything. There are many types of malware attacks. You may need to be familiar with each type to overcome it in time.
With more enterprises switching to digital data handling software, malware attacks have become increasingly high. Malware attacks operate digitally. It means businesses can incur huge losses within a short time. To understand how malware breaches can disrupt business operations and put activities to a halt, let’s look at some common malware types, that can cause serious problems for your business.
Types of Malware Attacks
Ransomware Activities
Like humans, valuable data is also at risk of negative forces. Ransomware is a malware attack that holds your valuable information hostage unless you hand over the ransom money. These attacks target small or large databases, first-hand software, confidential information, and financial records. Mostly performed by hackers, ransomware attacks can lock you out of your computer programs or web-based data management applications.
Hackers, in such cases, do not care for your valuable data. They require hefty amounts of money from your organizations. They may research and target enterprises with higher value in the market to set the trap.
The two common types of ransomware attacks include:
- Crypto ransomware – Restricting users to access stored data.
- Locker ransomware – Restricting users to access computers.
Adware Attacks
Adware malware attacks are among the most common ones. Such attacks have breached thousands of businesses and internet users over the years. Adware attacks refer to randomly popping ads on websites. Adware creators use different appeals to attract and engage users.
For example, you may see a pop-up advertisement with an option to win a thousand dollars. You may also come across ads with an easy winning prize. Attackers lure users into clicking the ad. Once done, users may lose access to their private information listed on online platforms, including social networking sites and business websites.
Spyware Attacks
As the name suggests, spyware attacks allow hackers to spy on valuable information, including login details, browsing data, and more. One of the major risks of spyware attacks is access to online payment gateways. If you have saved your credit card information on an online store, the hackers may gain access to such information once you click on the malware link.
Trojan Horse Malware
Trojan Horse malware attacks can encompass both adware and spyware attacks. These malware attacks are disguised attacks to appeal to internet users on unsecured websites. In a Trojan Horse attack, you may see a banner, an ad, or a message on your screen with a gift hamper. You may also see free download links to paid software or multimedia files.
Using the element of exclusivity, Trojan Horse attacks engage users to penetrate their network. This allows them to access all the private information, including passwords, private data files, and other confidential details. Hackers can steal information and use it. Such attacks can be harmful to large enterprises.
Hybrids
Hybrid malware attacks can be hazardous. Such attacks typically cause multi-dimensional damage to businesses with widespread networks. Hybrids use multiple malware attacks, including a Trojan Horse, adware, and a worm attack. These attacks may unfold upon interaction with different associated business networks exposing them to a malware threat.
Hybrid attacks involve multiple hacking parties with unique sets of objectives. Such attacks can be identified as a series of attacks controlled by a single primary source.
Viruses
Viruses have been around ever since modern computers surfaced for the first time. As another one of the most common types of malware attacks, a virus typically replicates itself to spread into different programs, documents, folders, and applications.
Such malware attacks may compromise your valuable data as soon as it spreads into the directory. You may use anti-malware tools to eliminate some viruses without harming your data. However, advanced forms may be difficult to tackle once they spread into a specific file or folder.
Worm Attacks
Worms are similar to viruses, . as they possess replication properties like viruses. However, the consequences of worm malware attacks can be significantly worse. When entered into your computer, viruses require a user’s action to initiate spreading. On the other hand, worm malware attacks do not require any triggers.
These attacks can randomly spread into different directories and cause data security problems. Your entire data might be at risk once worm malware enters the system.
Malvertising Attacks
Malvertising attacks typically target specific users by using a one-to-one engagement path. In this type, hackers may create pop-up ads with malware to deliver directly to users. You may receive a link to malvertising in your inbox, files, or applications. Clicking on such links may expose you to hackers without you knowing.
Malvertising attacks can also use different appeals to engage users into clicking the link.
Ways to Avoid Malware Attacks
As those types of malware attacks can risk your business’s confidential data in a matter of a few seconds, you can use several useful ways to avoid malware attacks.
- Never click on third-party suspicious links in your emails, browser ads, or mobile applications.
- Always use authentic anti-malware software to keep your computer risk-free of malware breaches.
- Use spam filters to avoid unknown promotions, emails, and links mixing into your internal data (emails, files, etc.)
- Always connect to secure Wi-Fi and broadband sources to avoid malware attacks.
- Keep your computer’s operating system up to date.
- If you are using password protection, regularly update your password to avoid the risk of hacker breaches.
- Choose secure file-sharing solutions to avoid the risk of third-party breaches.
To seek assistance for secure data management and malware protection measures, get in touch with us today.
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