The most common malware attacks of 2018
In 2018, the most common malware attacks were those that exploited vulnerabilities in systems and software, targeted specific industries, or used malicious email attachments to infect devices.
Vulnerabilities in software and systems continue to be an attractive target for cybercriminals. In particular, unpatched vulnerabilities in Microsoft products were heavily exploited in 2018. The most notable attack was the WannaCry ransomware attack in May, which encrypted files on hundreds of thousands of computers in over 150 countries and caused billions of dollars in damage. Other attacks that exploited Microsoft vulnerabilities included the Petya/NotPetya attack in June, which used the same EternalBlue vulnerability as WannaCry to spread a destructive malware payload, and the Bad Rabbit ransomware attack in October, which used an EternalRomance vulnerability to infect computers in Russia and Ukraine.
IBM X-Force research also observed an increase in attacks targeting specific industries in 2018. The healthcare, education, and manufacturing sectors were particularly impacted, likely due to the large amounts of sensitive data they hold. In the healthcare sector, we saw a number of data breaches caused by malware, such as the SamSam ransomware attack on the City of Atlanta in March, which caused significant disruption and cost the city over $2 million to recover from. The attack on the SouthwestKey detention centers in September was also notable, as it resulted in the release of over 2,000 sensitive files, including photos and videos of children.
Finally, malicious email attachments continued to be a popular vector for malware infections in 2018. One notable example is the macro-based ransomware called Locky, which was distributed via spam emails purporting to be invoices. Locky was particularly destructive, encrypting not only files on the infected computer, but also any connected network drives.
While these were some of the most common malware attacks we saw in 2018, it’s important to remember that any type of device can be infected with malware. The best way to protect yourself is to ensure that your systems and software are up to date, and to use caution when opening email attachments or clicking on links from unknown sources..Visit Them
The impact of malware on society
What is malware?
Malware is a type of software that is designed to damage or disable computers, networks, or other electronic devices. It can also be used to steal personal information or to carry out other malicious activities.
Malware is often spread through email attachments, pop-up ads, or infected websites. It can also be bundled with legitimate software or disguised as a legitimate file. Once installed on a device, malware can disable security features, collect sensitive information, or launch attacks on other devices.
What are the consequences of malware?
Malware can have a variety of consequences, including:
* Disruption of computer or network operations
* Theft of personal or confidential information
* Installation of other malware
* Denial of access to specific websites or online services
* invitation to third-party control or monitoring of the infected device
What are the different types of malware?
There are many different types of malware, including:
* Adware: software that displays unwanted advertisements
* Spyware: software that collects information about a user without their knowledge
* Ransomware: software that encrypts files and demands a ransom to decrypt them
* Trojans: software that appears to be legitimate but is actually malicious
* Viruses: software that replication itself and spreads to other devices
* Worms: software that propagates itself across networks without the need for user interaction
What can you do to protect yourself from malware?
There are a number of things you can do to protect yourself from malware, including:
* Keep your operating system and software up to date
* Use a reputable antivirus program and scan your computer regularly
* Be cautious when clicking on links or opening email attachments
* Do not download software from unfamiliar websites
* Do not install pirated software
What should you do if your device is infected with malware?
If you think your device has been infected with malware, you should take the following steps:
* Disconnect the device from the Internet
* Do not use the device until the malware has been removed
* Back up your data before starting the malware removal process
* Use a reputable malware removal tool to scan and remove the malware
* Restore your data from the backup
* Change any passwords that may have been compromised
We used malwarezero.org to write this article about malware. Visit Here.