QUICK DISCUSSION & RESPONSE ACTIVITY

(PROVIDE SOURCES AT END, ONLY 1-2 SOURCES IS NEEDED)
What is the malicious software
and how to do countermeasures against them? Please explain it in two-three
paragraphs, with valid references.

Directions: (PART 2)
(There are 2 responses to respond back to)
Respond to these separate
responses with 2-3 sentences each response.

1st Response: The
types of malicious software are viruses, worms, trojan horses, rootkits, and
spyware. Viruses attach or copy themselves to programs. The infected program
can then be used to spread its contents to other computers through an unaware
user. Worms are their own programs that send copies of themselves, usually over
a network, on their own. Trojan horses pretend to be a legitimate program. By
opening them, they can collect sensitive information and open up
vulnerabilities. Rootkits sneak attacks inside of programs by modifying them,
or they replace the program altogether. They conceal their presence so they can
be difficult to detect. Lastly, spyware targets a user’s personal information
to relay to its creator. This info can be in the form of credit card numbers,
email addresses, passwords, chat information, keystrokes, cookies, files on a
hard drive, and more. The best way to protect against malware like this is to
learn how to prevent them from getting on the device in the first place. Do not
open files from unknown or untrusted sources. In the event it is absolutely
necessary to do so, make sure to download anti-malware utilities that perform
regular scans. Quarantine computers that are unable to spread malware to others
can be used to test suspicious files. Just a simple secure login and
authentication is a good first step before any of the more complex measures.
Because new exploits are constantly being discovered, staying on top of the
latest malware information is necessary. A firewall can also be used to monitor
incoming traffic, checking for abnormalities.

2nd Response: Malicious
software is malware designed to damage systems. Regardless of the flavor or
type the main goal is to do something to harm, slow down, or potentially steal
sensitive information. There are two main categories of malware. One is used to
infect and the other is used to hide things. They both can cause harm. The
items that infect are viruses and worms, and the items that are hidden to carry
out attacks after they are inside the system. Viruses are used to infect systems.
They are a software program. Viruses can slow down, and crash systems Viruses
need a host to attach themselves to carry out their intended purpose. It is
malicious code that is designed to cause normal program to operate not as they
normally would. The most common method of getting virus is by being fooled to
click on an email, or attachment. The other form of infecting items is a worm.
This is also a program or malicious code written to disrupt an application or
operating system. The primary difference between a worm and virus is that a
worm needs no host. It can survive on its own, and it can travel much easier
and faster than a virus. It does not need the user help to prorogate itself. Moving
into the more deceptive and harder to detect malicious malware is Trojan,
Rootkits and Spyware. Trojans are named after the Mythical wooden horse that
the Greek used to defeat the Trojans. The art of hiding a payload inside
something else that seems innocuous is exactly how it takes control, steals
data and reports back to the originator. These types of malwares can inbreed
keylogger and other types of data collection devices. They can cause serious
harm and remain undetected for greater length of time for to their stealthies. The
other hidden malware is Rootkits. These ae very dangerous in that they are
designed to go to the root of an operating system to take control without a
hint that it has occurred. Once, installed a persistent threat is present that
allows remote access and control of the kernel of the operating system. Spyware
is also a hidden program that is used to just what it says spy. What does it
spy on? The user’s information like password, login credentials, credit card
information. Spyware is also a Trojan in that it is usually embedded in some type
of freeware. It can be used to gather information to market and advertise, but
it has all the potential to collect sensitive data. In Closing, malware
regardless of how it’s deployed has great potential to harm user’s systems,
data and personally identifiable information. The best method to avoid being a
victim of these types of malicious code is do not click on links, email or
other fishing attempts. Also, don’t use freeware or shareware as they are not
as advertised. They are not free! The price is the potential malicious code
attached to it. Keep your systems antirust, malware and spyware scanner
updated. Additionally run Microsoft Malicious Removal Tool. User awareness is
the biggest takeaway here. Users should be educated not to open emails, attachments,
or embedded links. If there is an infection reload the entire operation system
with an ISO image. Remember this prevention is fare better than a cure. Don’t
get infected and you won’t need a cure.

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