Social engineering in security refers to the manipulation of people into performing actions or divulging confidential information, often by exploiting human emotions such as trust, fear, or urgency. Instead of attacking a computer system directly, social engineering targets the human element of security, making it one of the most effective and dangerous forms of cyberattack.
Malware, a portmanteau of "malicious software," is any software intentionally designed to cause disruption, damage, or gain unauthorized access to computer systems, networks, or data. Cybercriminals use malware for various harmful purposes, including stealing information, extorting payments, or interfering with a user's security and privacy.
How Malware Spreads:
Malware can spread through various methods, often tricking users into unintentionally installing it:
Phishing Emails: Emails disguised as legitimate messages that contain malicious links or attachments.
Malicious Websites/Drive-by Downloads: Websites that automatically download malware to a user's system without their knowledge or consent, often by exploiting vulnerabilities in web browsers or outdated software.
Infected Removable Drives:USB flash drives or external hard drives that carry malware and infect a system when plugged in.
Bundled Software: Malware can be included with other programs downloaded from third-party websites or peer-to-peer networks.
Malvertising: Malicious advertisements on legitimate websites that inject harmful code or redirect users to infected sites.
Exploit Kits: Automated tools that identify and exploit software vulnerabilities on a user's system to deliver malware.
Social Network Spam: Malicious links or files shared through social media platforms.
Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) Exploitation: Cybercriminals scanning the internet for open RDP connections and attempting to guess login credentials.
Fake Apps: Malicious apps disguised as popular or legitimate applications, often found in unofficial app stores.
Common Types of Malware:
Viruses: Self-replicating code that attaches itself to legitimate programs and spreads to other files and systems.
Ransomware: Encrypts a victim's files or locks down their device, demanding a ransom (usually cryptocurrency) for decryption.
Trojans (Trojan Horses): Malware disguised as legitimate software that, once installed, performs malicious actions like stealing data or creating backdoors.
Worms: Self-replicating programs that spread across networks independently, often exploiting system vulnerabilities.
Spyware: collects information about a user's activities, such as keystrokes, passwords, and Browse habits.
Adware: Displays unwanted advertisements, often in pop-up windows, and can sometimes install additional malicious software.
Botnets: Networks of infected devices ("bots" or "zombies") controlled remotely by an attacker, often used for large-scale attacks like Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS).
Crypto jacking: Hijacks a device's computing power to secretly mine cryptocurrency without the owner's knowledge, slowing down the system.
File less Malware: Operates directly in a system's memory without leaving traditional file-based footprints, making it harder to detect.
Rootkits: Stealthy malware that embeds itself deep within a computer's core, making it difficult to detect and remove.
Keyloggers: Records a user's keystrokes, often to steal credentials or sensitive information.
Logic Bombs :Malicious code hidden within legitimate programs, triggered by specific conditions (e.g., a certain date, time, or action).
Scareware: Programs that display alarming messages about fake infections to trick users into buying unnecessary or rogue security software.
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