Cybercrime is increasing as technology is getting more advance. The cybercriminals always look for victims, and as soon as they spot a vulnerable user in their territory, they attack. The cyberattack could be of any sort depending upon the attacker. Some cybercriminals use ransomware, and some opt for phishing emails in their cyberattacks. The purpose of a malware cyberattack is to steal the user’s sensitive information and money.
These cyberattacks could be avoided, and there are several ways to do so. One of them is to be aware of the types of malware to keep check of them. Following are the five-malware strains that happen to be most dangerous, so an internet user must be aware of them.
1. Adware
Adware is one of the worst among all the malware strains. Since last year, there has been an increased number of attacks through this strain. The past year, Mac and Windows, reported a total number of 30 and 24 million cyberattack attempts. Moreover, 28 million cyberattacks were attempted through NewTab advertisement pop-ups.
2. Ransomware
Cybercriminals are becoming fearless in their attacks, so these attacks are also increasing and becoming worse. Ransomware is the most common type of malware used in cybercrime attacks. There was a time when cybercriminals would only target familiar people, but now they are attacking some famous companies. They hijack their systems using any ransomware strain, after which these companies have to pay a significant chunk of money to get their data released. The targeted companies include government departments, hospitals, and other public service sectors as well. There has been a shift towards these companies because they have more vulnerable information, and if they are attacked, they rarely have an option but to pay the cybercriminals. The ransom received in these attacks is also quite large. Phobos, Ryuk, and Sodinokibi are the most popular strains of ransomware that are used commonly.
3. Banking trojans malware
This malware strain is old, but it is still one of the worst pressure types when attacking a person’s bank account details. Once infected, it gets almost impossible to get rid of it, which is why the cybercriminal still uses it, despite it being a primitive strain. According to the Center for Internet Security, 22% of cyberattacks attempted this year were a Banking trojan named Zeus.
4. Remote access trojans malware
This malware strain is also very dangerous. The most dangerous aspect about this strain is that once downloaded into the system, and it hides where it cannot be detected. This download can be the result of downloading some suspicious software on your computer. The computer cannot detect its presence, and the cybercriminal behind it takes advantage and steals all the data or the files available. Later on, he threatens the user with the stolen data to take money from him. NanoCore is one of its examples.
5. Mobile malware
Since the time is changing, there has been a shift towards mobile phones instead of computers. The cybercriminals know this, which is why there is a shift in cyberattacks from computers to mobile phones. There has been an increased number of malware attacks on mobile users. The primary source of these attacks is the apps that do not have a trustable source, downloaded outside the App Store. However, a few times, the cybercriminals have found their way into the App store as well. Through this malware, cybercriminals have been able to hack all of the private data in the user’s phone, and they have been able to use it for money.
Check our previous blog about Malvertising: What is it? & How to prevent it?
