Adware is a well-known type of malware. Many systems are actively infected with this type of malware from the various installations and other activities they perform. When this type of software is deployed onto a victim’s system, it displays ads, pop-ups, and nag screens, and may even change the start page of the browser. Typically, … 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
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
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
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
Malware is a term that is frequently used but frequently misapplied, so let’s first clarify its meaning. The term malware is short for malicious software, which accurately explains what this class of software is designed to do: to perform malicious and disruptive actions. Simply put, malware is any type of software that performs actions without … Read more
Linux and Unix systems are no different from Windows systems and can be enumerated as well. The difference lies in the tools and the approach. In this section you will take a look at a handful of the tools that have proven useful in exploring these systems. finger The finger command is designed to return … Read more
Enumeration is the process of extracting information from a target system in an organized and methodical manner. During enumeration you should be able to extract information such as usernames, machine names, shares, and services from a system as well as other information depending on the operating environment. Unlike with previous phases, you are initiating active … Read more