What does malware do? How does it work?
The primary goal of malware is havoc. It wants to disrupt your computer system and steal what it can—sometimes for monetary gain and sometimes to sabotage its victim.
Proper device protection can protect them from the chaos malware can cause. It tries to:
Steal your personal or sensitive data
Malware looks for your personal information, usernames, passwords, and banking information. It can also exfiltrate sensitive company information and intellectual property.
Spy on your activities
Some types of malware can contain keyloggers and other software that watch your interactions with your computer, recording keystrokes and activities.
Operate botnets through your device
Malware can borrow your computer’s resources to run as part of a botnet group. These groups use borrowed devices for spam, online attacks, and spreading malware.
Launch an attack
Malware can use your device to launch distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks.
Destroy or disrupt systems
Malware can destroy devices, which can, in turn, damage larger network infrastructures. It may also lock networks and devices, making them unusable.
Run crypto mining operations
Malware may borrow your computer’s resources to run a malicious crypto mining operation, also known as cryptojacking.
How do I remove malware?
- Isolate the problem.
- Remove infected devices from your network.
- Run your device in safe mode and remove any suspicious programs.
- Delete your temporary files and clear your browser cache.
- Change any compromised passwords on another device and enable two-factor authentication. Be careful not to lock yourself out of recovery steps.
- For deeper infections, wipe your device completely and reinstall your operating system.
- Restore your device.
- If you wiped your device, check your backup file to ensure it doesn’t contain any malware.
- Connect to a safe network and reinstall your software, starting with antivirus software.
- Run a system scan with your antivirus software to confirm your device is safe.
- Check these scans regularly to monitor the situation.
Interested in learning more about how Parallels Browser Isolation works? Watch our video see what Parallels Browser Isolation can do for you.
8 common types of malware
Malware comes in many forms, each designed to infiltrate and disrupt systems in different ways. Understanding the various types of malware helps you safeguard your devices and data.
1. Viruses and Trojan horse viruses
Viruses attach themselves to a macro-enabled document or file to run their code. They'll disrupt the system’s ability to operate and then spread across devices.
They lie dormant until the user opens the infected file.
Trojan horse viruses are a unique type of virus that doesn’t spread the way a regular virus does.
They disguise themselves as helpful software, but once downloaded, they find sensitive data on the device and damage it. This can cause major problems for a device’s performance.
2. Worms
Worms can quickly replicate and spread across devices. Unlike a virus, worms don’t need a user to take action.
They infect devices through downloaded files or network connections and can cause data loss and performance issues.
3. Spyware
Spyware runs in secret, searches for sensitive information like financial or personal details, and gives criminals access to this information.
4. Keyloggers
Keyloggers are a subtype of spyware. They monitor keystrokes and inputs on a device to spy on passwords and other sensitive information.
5. Ransomware
Ransomware finds sensitive information on a device, encrypts it so the user can’t access it, and then demands a financial payout to unlock it again. It’s often part of a phishing scam and will hide within disguised links to trick users into clicking.
6. Rootkits
Rootkits are collections of malware designed to unlock admin areas of a device and steal access from the original user. It gives a hacker complete remote control over the device.
7. Logic bombs
A logic bomb will hide in a legitimate program and execute a set of instructions—or detonate—under specific conditions. It lies dormant until those conditions, like a particular date or a certain user running the host software, are met.
8. Exploits
Exploits use bugs or vulnerabilities within a device’s system or software to sneak through security measures. Once in, an exploit will gain access to systems or take control of the device itself to steal data or install other forms of malware.
9 signs of a malware infection
It’s not always obvious when a device is struggling with malware, so it’s best to run scans with antivirus software regularly. Some of the more visible symptoms include:
1. Pop-ups or alerts that won’t go away
You may start seeing more pop-up ads and alerts, including ones that won’t close.
These ads sometimes include inappropriate content or appear in unexpected places like government websites.
2. Unwanted toolbars or extensions
If a device’s browser has toolbars or extensions that you don’t remember installing, it could be due to a malware infection.
3. Unfamiliar redirects
You may notice that you’re redirected through strange sites. This can happen even when trying to visit sites you’ve been to before.
4. Unauthorized homepage or search engine changes
Your browser may start defaulting to a search engine you didn’t set it to or a homepage you don’t recognize.
5. Unusual slowness or loss of speed
Your device may start running more slowly than before, even on simple processes.
6. Sudden loss of disk space
Malware hides itself within a system’s storage. You may see disk space consumption that you can’t explain—or find the files for.
7. Repeated crashes, freezes, and blue screens of death
If your device struggles to remain functioning, it could be due to a malware infection. They can shut down key processing functions.
8. Programs opening or closing on their own
If you notice you have programs open that you didn’t start, or a program you did start closes on its own, that can be a sign of a malware infection.
9. No access to Task Manager or Activity Monitor
You may find that you can’t open your device's manager or monitoring tools. Malware infections can prevent these commands from running.
How do malware infections happen?
Understanding how malware infections happen is the first step in preventing them. Malware can infiltrate your system in various ways, from deceptive tactics like phishing to more direct methods like exploiting untrusted downloads.
Social engineering
Social engineering is where a hacker will use human interaction to infect a system with malware.
They may pretend to run a survey, be a new employee, or represent a trusted company or charity. They'll ask questions to gain access and may target more than one person.
Phishing emails
Phishing is a digital subtype of social engineering.
Here, hackers will try to disguise bad URLs within emails in a bid to trick users into clicking. These messages will try to mimic a trusted source like a bank or popular service.
A similar subtype called smishing uses text messages for the same purpose.
Downloads from untrusted sources
Downloads from unknown sources are prime targets for malware infections. They may incite urgency by promising something free or exclusive.
Drive-by downloads
Visiting a compromised webpage—even without clicking or downloading anything—can cause a drive-by download, where malware self-installs in the background.
It often uses exploits in browsers, apps, and OSs to do this.
Removeable media (USB drives, etc)
Devices left unattended in public areas like coffee shops are susceptible to removable media. Hackers will plug in a USB drive, infect the device, and leave before you return.
7 ways to protect organizations from malware infections
One wrong click—or even one wrong site visit—that’s all it takes for malware to infiltrate a network. A deceptive email, a compromised website, or an innocent-looking attachment can open the door to cyber threats. But with the right defenses, organizations can stay one step ahead.
1. Zero Trust network access
Zero Trust access is based on the idea that you should never trust and always verify. Under this principle, devices, users, and networks must always be verified before they can be trusted.
2. Remote browser isolation (RBI)
RBI protects devices by running interference between endpoints and dangerous sites. An RBI solution uses a pre-determined set of policies to assess a site’s safety and then either allows or blocks the user from accessing it.
3. Firewalls
Firewalls protect networks and endpoints by securing ports. They also regulate incoming and outgoing traffic according to a set of policies.
4. Virtual private networks (VPNs)
VPNs protect endpoints by encrypting data between them and a network. This prevents data exfiltration and protects the user’s sensitive information.
5. Endpoint monitoring tools
Endpoint monitoring tools give administrators remote visibility into each endpoint on the network. They alert the admin to signs of malicious activity on any given endpoint.
6. Regular threat assessments
By monitoring and assessing potential threats, organizations can catch malicious activity early and protect against escalations.
7. Employee education
Teaching employees to recognize common tactics and signs of malware can reduce the chances of attacks getting through.
See how Parallels Browser Isolation can help your organization stay protected from malware.
Here are ways organizations use Parallels solutions to stay secure and protect themselves from malware
From sensitive healthcare data to sharing key files securely with clients, there are plenty of ways organizations use Parallels solutions to stay safe from malware. Here are a few examples:
Fondazione Telethon uses Parallels RAS to support virtual workstations and ERP applications without needing to rely on VPN technology. While legacy solutions experienced issues with VPNs, putting data at risk, the new system keeps information safe and accessible on any device.
Seabix uses Parallels RAS to deploy secure virtual desktops and applications to clients on multiple devices. By providing remote accessibility—while maintaining security for its clients’ sensitive and proprietary information—Seabix has been able to ensure client satisfaction.
Vetserve AS uses Parallels RAS to operate a bring-your-own-device network that keeps sensitive client information secure from cyberattacks. By centralizing data behind strong security measures, Vetserve has reduced risks, expenses, and time spent on processes.
Parallels Workspace Solutions for malware protection
Parallels solutions work together to protect organizations, networks, and endpoints from the risks of malware. From a Zero Trust approach and remote admin control to additional layers of security and beyond, Parallels solutions keep organizations’ data and intellectual property safe.
Resources
How to provide secure access to Microsoft Azure using Parallels Browser IsolationEvolution of secure service edge and the chronicles of browser isolation
On-demand webinar: Discover unified secure workspaces with Parallels RAS & Browser IsolationTake the next step with Parallels Browser Isolation
The Parallels ecosystem provides a range of cybersecurity solutions, allowing you to select the product or combination of products that best suits your needs.
By providing core security protocols, including secure browsing, policy control, and real-time insights, Parallels Browser Isolation helps protect organizations from cyber threats like malware.