Malware types

·         Trojan – Malware masquerading as a legitimate application

·         FakeAV – Malware masquerading as a fake antivirus. The user is persuaded that his
computer was infected and the infection can be removed only with premium (i.e., paid) version of
fake AV.

·         Dropper – Program that contains one or more malware samples and that installs them on a
target computer.

·         Downloader – Program that downloads and installs further malware on the target system.

·         InfoStealer – Malware designed to extract sensitive information and deliver it to an
attacker controlled system.

·         Ransomware – Malware that threatens the user (e.g., with fake legal notice or with fear
that the user could lose his data) and promises to remove the threat when paid a compensatory fee.

·         Rootkit – Malware that tries to stay hidden inside the system by hijacking system calls.

·         Spambot – Malware designed to send spam.

·         DoSbot – Malware designed to perform denial of service attacks.

·         Keylogger – Malware that monitors pressed keys, usually with the purpose to reveal user’s
passwords. In broader sense it is malware that can also take screenshots, copy clipboard content
and monitor computer surroundings via webcam or microphone.

·         Backdoor – Malware component that allows the attacker to maintain access to the infected
computer.

·         Worm – Malware replicating itself through network.

·         Virus – Malware that attaches itself to legitimate files.

Malware delivery

·         USB – Infecting a computer after an external device was attached either when autorun is
allowed or after the user opens infected file.

·         Email attachement – Opening infected email attachement.

·         Drive-by download – Exploiting user computer when he is visiting a compromised website.

·         Phishing – Masquerading as a trustworthy entity and persuading user to open some file.

·         Warez – Malware is encapsulated within warez files or archives.

·         Worm – Worm is replicating through network on its own.


Kill chain

1.       Reconaissance – Searching for targets. Can range from automated scanning in case of worms
to getting personal data about important company people in case of spearphishing.

2.       Exploitation – Applying exploit code to a target computer in order to exploit existing
weaknesses and gain a rudimentary access (i.e., An ability to execute own code, usually malware
installer.)

3.       Installation – Placement of malware’s files on the target computer. Usually temporary
files are created and subsequently deleted. System files may be altered or replaced with malware
versions.

4.       Persistance – Process of assuring that the malware will be executed again. Link to malware
can be placed to special registry keys, Startup/Logon folder or into Scheduled tasks.

5.       C2 – Network message to a malware-controlling entity. Malware can inform about successful
infection, accept new commands, update itself with new version or exfiltrate collected data.

6.       Deletion – Removal of all malware traces once the purpose of infection has been fulfilled.
May include deletion of system logs or even of all data in the computer. The aim is to make
post-incident analysis as difficult as possible.