Anti Malware Software
Anti-malware software is a type of computer program designed to detect, prevent, and remove malicious software, such as viruses, worms, and spyware, from a computer system. It works by scanning files and processes for known patterns of malicious code and can also provide real-time protection by monitoring system activity. This software is essential for maintaining the security and integrity of computer systems.
5 Key excerpts on "Anti Malware Software"
eBook - ePubIT Governance
An International Guide to Data Security and ISO 27001/ISO 27002
- Alan Calder, Steve Watkins(Authors)
- 2019(Publication Date)
- Kogan Page(Publisher)
...18 Controls against malicious software (malware) Control objective A.12.3 requires the organization to protect the integrity of software and information by implementing detection and prevention controls against malicious software and to ensure that appropriate user awareness procedures have been implemented. The importance of this control was highlighted by a finding, as long ago as the FBI/CSI 2002 survey, that 85 per cent of organizations had detected computer virus threats. Year after year, similar surveys produce similar results: the 2014 ISBS survey found that 73 per cent of large organizations (up from 59 per cent the previous year) had suffered a malware attack. More recent surveys all indicate similar levels of suffering. Many organizations think that because they have some form of anti-malware software in place, they have a data security system. They don’t. This book, and ISO27001 itself, makes it clear that anti-malware controls are just one part of an effective data security system; they are, however, an extremely important part. Viruses, worms, Trojans and rootkits An overall understanding of the world of computer malware, the different types of virus and their characteristics, would be useful ahead of a discussion of how to resist them. Technically, the most useful generic term to use is ‘malware’, a term that denotes software designed for some malicious purpose. It may be written in almost any programming language and carried within almost any type of file. Common forms of malware include viruses, worms, Trojans, spyware, adware, bugs and rootkits. ‘Antivirus’ and ‘anti-malware’ are terms that are used interchangeably in this book. A virus has at least two properties: it is a program capable of replicating – that is, producing functional copies of itself – and it depends on a host file (a document or executable file) to carry each copy...
- Nicholas Kolokotronis, Stavros Shiaeles, Nicholas Kolokotronis, Stavros Shiaeles(Authors)
- 2021(Publication Date)
- CRC Press(Publisher)
...antivirus software, Intrusion Detection Systems [IDSs]). In fact, these systems fail to discover unknown malware and are easily averted by malware that use advanced obfuscation techniques. In addition, actual analysis of this large number of suspicious files is a time-consuming process for malware analysts. In recent years, a variety of new techniques and advanced tools have been proposed by the research community to deal with the diverse nature of modern malware. This chapter will provide a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of the current and new techniques developed for malware analysis and detection with the future direction in this area. It includes a description of each technique, its strengths, and weaknesses. In addition, it includes an overview of prominent studies, presenting the use of machine learning (ML) methods and visual representation to enhance malware detection capabilities. 6.1.1 Malware Classifications Malware is a broad term that can be associated to any program or script that was intentionally developed to destroy data or cause damage to the normal functionality of a computer or network [ 4 ], or to perform malicious activities such as stealing sensitive information (e.g. login credentials, credit card numbers, financial information, etc.) or gaining unauthorized access to computer systems [ 5 ]. Malware attacks have even started to affect medical equipment and critical information infrastructures, which provide vital functions that our societies depend upon. It can come in different formats, such as executables, binary shell code, script, or firmware [ 1 ]. The various type of malware can be classified in several different ways, depending on the aspects being considered. This classification is important to better understand how malware can infect devices and how to protect against them. The widely used classification is made by malware type, with some being more common than others...
eBook - ePubCybersecurity Fundamentals
A Real-World Perspective
- Kutub Thakur, Al-Sakib Khan Pathan(Authors)
- 2020(Publication Date)
- CRC Press(Publisher)
...5 Types of Computer Malware 5.1 Introduction The malware is a computer software program maliciously developed to install on the computers without any consent of the users. The main objective of such ill-conceived programs is to either establish the access to the targeted computers without any permission of the user or to install the program to create annoyance for the users. The annoyance can include pranks, data theft, data damage, computer malfunction, service blockage, and spying on the users. In most of the cases, the malware programs are installed on the targeted computers to achieve different types of goals, which may include getting financial favor, knowing the business strategies, compromising the defense, sabotaging the governmental system, and many others. All those malicious objectives are achieved by introducing different kinds of malicious programs, which are classified into different categories in the field of information technology. The main types of malware software programs are explained in the subsequent sections in this chapter. 5.2 Viruses A computer virus is a malicious computer program, which is designed to alter the computer functions, slow down the computer performance, and damage the valuable files on the computer drive. The virus programs are executable files when run on any machine by mistake, or through any trick or click, it will get activated and will start altering the computer configurations and the process, which are used for smooth operation of the computer (Figure 5.1). FIGURE 5.1 Viruses. The virus programs have the capability to copy into multiple files and, thus, overwhelm the computer processes and data storage. As mentioned earlier, the virus programs are designed to propagate to other machines when some data is transferred from an infected computer to the other one...
- Harold F. Tipton, Micki Krause Nozaki, Harold F. Tipton, Micki Krause Nozaki(Authors)
- 2016(Publication Date)
- Auerbach Publications(Publisher)
...In fact, not only is malware more than twice as large as the next category of computer crime, but, according to the statistics compiled for the survey, malware accounted for a third of the total dollar loss of all computer crime, totaling tens of billions of dollars per year in the United States. That means the loss is in the multiple millions of dollars per hour. Obviously, companies and computer users need help here. One of the important things that Fred Cohen discovered was that a “perfect” antiviral program is inherently impossible: either it is going to miss a lot, or it is going to warn you about a lot of things that aren’t viruses. What this means is that the price of effective and safe computing is constant vigilance. You cannot “set and forget” malware protection, and there is on step-by-step procedure to follow for every malware incident. Sorry. However, we can give you some general advice that can help reduce your risk. A lot. Prevention and Maintenance Educate yourself. Learn about your enemy. Study malware. Unfortunately, in this field, you cannot rely on someone else. You have no way of knowing whether an “expert” is giving you valid information about viruses, unless you are educated about viruses yourself. A little education and basic policies can really help. You can reduce your risk further by training your systems’ users. (As a matter of fact, in the virus arena, a company can help reduce its own risk by providing security training for the general public. Fewer infected machines out there means less copies of viruses hitting your systems.) Have some good, basic policies, like: Do not double-click on attachments. Do not open attachments until you have checked them out. You can check them by using an up-to-date scanner or by contacting the person who sent you the attachment, to be sure of what it is. When sending attachments, be really specific...
eBook - ePubCybersecurity for Coaches and Therapists
A Practical Guide for Protecting Client Data
- Alexandra J.S. Fouracres(Author)
- 2022(Publication Date)
- Routledge(Publisher)
...It enables a device to be protected from threats known to the product you use. We start with this, before moving on to other ways to protect devices, and we start with PCs. Note that the term “security software” is used here interchangeably with “anti-virus software” – as most products have moved on to perform more than just anti-virus protection today. When these products first came about, they were often called “anti-virus software”, and many products as well as users still use this term. Many people use a security software product they have used for many years and have become comfortable with, moving it from one PC to the next. Others make use of the “offers” that pop up when you get the PC out of the box and start it up. Both of these methods of protecting a device seem intuitive and simple. Unfortunately, using the same product for years without re-evaluating it, or using the product that came as a trial on your new PC, is the easy option. The security software you have used for many years may feel easy to use through its familiarity, but it may no longer be the leading choice to protect your PC. The security software a PC manufacturer pre-loads into its computers might be a product they consider the best out there, but it might also just be a product they have a deal with to add as a trial to all new computers. It is important to review the functionality (and pricing) of alternatives. This chapter will guide you on how to make informed security software choices for the devices you have. Cybercriminals are constantly trying to find new vulnerabilities and ways in. It takes a strong, well-driven product to keep up, meaning that the best product one day may be overtaken by another tomorrow. Some products go from strength to strength, while others do not, this is why the book will not recommend any particular brands or security software companies...
