Spyware can be placed on a system in a number of different ways, each offering its own benefits. Once the software is installed, it stays hidden and carries out its goals. Methods of infection include, but are not limited to, the following: Peer-to-peer networks (P2P)—This delivery mechanism has become very popular because of the increased … Read more
Spyware is a type of malware that is designed to collect and forward information regarding a victim’s activities to an interested party. The defining characteristic is that the application acts behind the scenes to gather this information without the user’s consent or knowledge. The information gathered by spyware can be anything that the creator of … Read more
Worms are an advanced form of malware, compared to viruses, and have different goals in many cases. One of the main characteristics of worms is their inherent ability to replicate and spread across networks extremely quickly, as the previous Slammer example demonstrated. Most worms share certain features that help define how they work and what … Read more
When we speak of viruses, the topic of worms is not far behind. They are another major menace. Unlike viruses, which by definition require some sort of action to occur in order to trigger their mischief, worms are entirely self replicating. Worms effectively use the power of networks, malware, and speed to spread very dangerous … Read more
Creating a virus is a process that can be very complicated or something that happens with a few button clicks (see Exercise 1). Advanced programmers may choose to code the malware from scratch. The less savvy or experienced may have to pursue other options, such as hiring someone to write the virus, purchasing code, or … Read more
Modern viruses come in many varieties: ■ A system or boot sector virus is designed to infect and place its own code into the master boot record (MBR) of a system. Once this infection takes place, the system’s boot sequence is effectively altered, meaning the virus or other code can be loaded before the system … Read more
The process of developing a virus is very methodical. The author is concerned with creating an effective virus that can be spread easily. The process occurs in six steps: 1. Design. The author envisions and creates the virus. The author may choose to create the virus completely from scratch or use one of the many … Read more
A virus represents the oldest form of malware and is by far the best known to the public. But what is a virus? What separates a virus from other forms of malware? How is a virus created, and how does it target its victim? This section explores these questions and how they affect you, the … Read more
malware is an extremely broad term that blankets a range of software packages. We can say that malware is anything that steals resources, time, identity, or just about anything else while it is in operation. In order to understand what malware is, let’s look at the major types before we delve deeper into the mechanics … Read more
Ethical hackers should be mindful of the web of laws that relates to the deployment and use of malware. Over the years, malware has been subjected to increasing legal attention as the technology has evolved from being harmless to much more malicious and expansive in its abilities. The creation and use of malware have led … Read more