As your organisation grows, it begins to amass more and more data. This includes everything from financial reports, presentations, files, and most importantly, sensitive client and business information. All of this information represents hundreds of thousands of man-hours that, in the case of data pertaining to others, you are legally responsible to protect.

This data could quickly disappear in the event of a disaster. One of most common reasons behind massive data loss is malware, which can infiltrate your network from something as simple as a wrongly opened email. And once malware takes hold, it can wreak havoc across the business.

What’s more, malware attacks are becoming increasingly common for businesses.

We have listed the different types of malware threatening your business, so you can better protect yourself.

What is malware and what does it do?

Malware is short for malicious software. It’s a code, script or software that is specifically designed to damage, encrypt, steal or perform illegitimate action on devices, data, host or entire networks.

Malware is commonly delivered via an email attachment such as a ZIP file or attached as macros to certain email files or can be downloaded with files from the internet. Using malware, cyber criminals can steal sensitive data, damage files, disrupt operations and even hold systems hostage for ransom. This puts businesses at significant risk of financial loss, data loss, declining productivity and reputational damage.

The different types of malware

There are several different types of malware, each of which can seep into your business in different ways:

Computer viruses

A computer virus is a type of malware that propagates by inserting a copy if itself within another program. As with human viruses, a computer virus can easily spread from one computer to another. Viruses can range in severity from causing annoying functionality bugs to damaging data or software and causing denial-of-service (DoS) conditions throughout the network.

Viruses can be particularly dangerous because they can spread rapidly, infecting multiple computers in a short period of time. This can lead to significant disruption and financial loss for businesses and individuals. To protect against viruses, it’s important to use antivirus software, avoid downloading files from untrusted sources and be cautious when opening email attachments.

Worms

Unlike computer viruses, worms are standalone software and do not require a host program or human help to propagate. A worm enters a computer through a vulnerability in the system setup and takes advantage of file-transport or information-transport features on the system, allowing it to travel around unaided. Like viruses, worms are able to self replicate and can therefore cause the same type of damage.

They can cause significant disruption by overwhelming networks, consuming bandwidth and disabling systems. Some worms can also steal data, install other malware or launch denial-of-service attacks.

To protect against worms, it’s essential to keep software up-to-date with the latest security patches, use a firewall and exercise caution when opening attachments or clicking on links from unknown sources.

Trojans

Trojans are malicious programs that disguise themselves as legitimate software to trick users into downloading and installing them. Unlike viruses and worms, trojans do not self-replicate but rely on user interaction to spread.

Once installed, trojans can perform various malicious actions, such as:

• Stealing data, like passwords, credit card numbers and personal data
• Damaging systems by deleting files, corrupting data or disabling system functions
• Providing backdoor access that allows attackers to gain unauthorised access to a system
• Installing other malware, such as viruses, worms, or ransomware.

To protect against trojans, it’s important to be cautious about downloading software from unknown sources, avoid clicking on suspicious links or attachments and use antivirus software to detect and remove malicious programs.

Spyware

Spyware is a type of malware that secretly monitors user activity and collects personal information without their knowledge or consent. It can be installed on a device through various means, such as malicious downloads, email attachments or drive-by downloads (where spyware is automatically installed when a user visits a compromised website).

Once installed, spyware can track a user’s online activities, including browsing history, search queries and social media interactions. It can also capture keystrokes, record screen activity and steal sensitive data like passwords, credit card numbers and personal information. This information can then be used for malicious purposes, such as identity theft, fraud or targeted advertising.

To protect against spyware, it’s essential to be cautious about downloading software from unknown sources, avoid clicking on suspicious links or attachments and use antivirus software to detect and remove malicious programs. Additionally, using strong passwords, enabling privacy settings in web browsers and avoiding public Wi-Fi networks can help reduce the risk of spyware infections.

Ransomware

Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts a victim’s data, making it inaccessible until a ransom is paid. This can lead to significant financial loss and operational disruption. Ransomware attacks often target businesses, but individuals can also be affected.

Once ransomware infects a system, it encrypts files and folders, rendering them unusable. The attackers then demand a ransom payment, typically in cryptocurrency, in exchange for a decryption key. If the ransom is not paid, the encrypted data may be lost permanently.

Ransomware attacks can have devastating consequences for businesses. They can lead to significant financial losses due to ransom payments, lost productivity and damage to reputation. In addition, recovering from a ransomware attack can be time-consuming and expensive.

To protect against ransomware, it’s important to maintain regular backups of important data, keep software up-to-date with the latest security patches, and exercise caution when opening attachments or clicking on links from unknown sources.

Adware

Adware is a type of malware that displays unwanted advertisements on a user’s device, often without their consent. It can be installed through various means, such as malicious downloads, email attachments or drive-by downloads.

Adware typically generates revenue for the attackers by displaying advertisements or redirecting users to unwanted websites. While adware may not be as harmful as other types of malware, it can be annoying and intrusive. It can also slow down system performance and consume bandwidth.

To protect against adware, it’s important to be cautious about downloading software from unknown sources, avoid clicking on suspicious links or attachments and use antivirus software to detect and remove malicious programs. Additionally, using ad-blockers and pop-up blockers can help reduce the number of unwanted advertisements displayed on your device.

Bots

Bots are automated programs that can perform tasks independently or in response to specific triggers. While bots can be used for legitimate purposes, such as customer service or data analysis, they can also be used for malicious activities. These include:

• Spamming: Bots can send massive amounts of spam emails, overwhelming servers and causing disruption.
• Denial-of-service (DoS) attacks: Bots can flood a target system with traffic, overwhelming its resources and making it inaccessible.
• Data scraping: Bots can collect data from websites without permission, potentially violating terms of service or copyright laws.
• Social media manipulation: Bots can be used to spread misinformation, manipulate public opinion or engage in other forms of online harassment.

To protect against malicious bots, it’s important to use strong passwords and be cautious about clicking on links or attachments from unknown sources. Additionally, you can implement measures to detect and block bot traffic, such as using firewalls or intrusion detection systems.

How to protect your business against the different types of malware

Malware poses significant risks to your businesses – which is why it is crucial to minimise the danger of it taking hold. Here are some general rules and tips to help you in doing so.

1. Conduct software updates

Over time, weaknesses can emerge in your systems, which cyber criminals can exploit to implement malware. By regularly updating your operating system, applications and antivirus software, you can patch vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malware.

This gives you continuous protection against a range of cyber threats.

2. Use strong passwords

Strong passwords are a crucial line of defense against malware. They act as a barrier, making it more difficult for unauthorised individuals to gain access to your accounts and devices.

Encourage everyone in your business to set strong passwords. They should create complex passwords that are difficult to guess and avoid using the same password for multiple accounts. 

You may also wish to introduce two-factor authentication (2FA).This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification, such as a code sent to your phone.

3. Download mindfully

Malware often comes as a result of someone unwittingly downloading from a suspicious email or link. So, educate your staff on being mindful with their downloads.

Firstly, they should only download from trusted sources. This means avoiding suspicious websites or clicking on links in unsolicited emails.

It’s also crucial to install antivirus software across your network. Before running any downloaded files, staff can scan them to detect malware.

4. Avoid public Wi-Fi

Public Wi-Fi networks can often be less secure than private networks. This is because they are often open to anyone who is within range, making it easier for hackers to intercept data transmitted over the network.

When your staff use a public Wi-Fi network, your data may be vulnerable to eavesdropping by malicious individuals. Hackers can use this information to gain access to your accounts, steal your personal information or install malware on your device. To reduce the risk of malware infection, it’s important to encourage staff to avoid using public Wi-Fi networks. If they must use a public Wi-Fi network, consider using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to encrypt data and protect it from unauthorised access.

5. Back up your data

Backing up your data is essential for protecting against different types of malware. When malware attacks your system, it can damage or delete files, making them inaccessible. If you have a backup, you can restore your data and minimise the impact.

Regular backups create a safety net that allows you to recover your lost or damaged files. This is particularly important for critical data like documents, photos, and financial records. By having a backup, you can avoid the potential financial and emotional distress that can result from data loss.

It’s important to store your backups in a separate location from your primary device to protect them from malware attacks. This means you should avoid storing backups on the same hard drive or network drive as your main files. Additionally, you should regularly test your backups to ensure they are working properly and can be restored successfully.

6. Educate staff

Staff education is a critical component of malware prevention. Informed employees will better equipped to recognise and avoid phishing attempts, which reduces the risk of them falling victim to different types of malware.

Provide your staff with training on cyber security threats, they can learn to identify and avoid common tactics used by attackers. This includes recognising suspicious emails, attachments and websites. Additionally, staff can be trained on how to spot signs of malware infection, such as unusual system behaviour, slow performance or unexpected pop-ups.

How to prevent different types of malware harming your business

Cyber security is often a burden that businesses neglect. Even if you believe it won’t happen to you, there are often hidden vulnerabilities that criminals are waiting to exploit.

It is crucial to protect yourself fully to eliminate the risk of different types of malware to avoid data loss, non-compliance and financial damage.

Our cyber security checklist contains everything you need to implement in your business as a minimum for robust security. This will enable you to avoid the risk of malware and other attacks, while maintaining compliance across your business.

Access the checklist here.