Question

Draft a memo describing malware risks to common user and what the user can do to avoid infection.

Answer 1

Malware is a program that takes unauthorized access to user's computer without letting them know and benefits the attacker remotely.

Types Of Malware-

1. Virus- A program that gets attached to another program. When a user executes a program the virus attached is also executed.

2. Worms- Worms are programs that makes a large copies of themselves and eat computer's memory which eventually makes it slow.

3. Spyware- Sypwares are programs that keeps track of users sensitive data such as passwords.

4. Trojen Horse- A small program that runs secretly on an infected computer. It can read passwords and sensitive information like Debit card/Credit card information.

5. Logical bombs Logical Bombs are special viruses that wait for an event to occur ( such as execution of a particular program) after which they execute and effect your disk data.

6. Ransomware- It encrypts the user data until a particular ransom (or amount ) is paid.

7. Backdoor - A backdoor is used to skip the normal authentication (Login) and enter into account. A backdoor may help to gain access to user's computer without letting him know and hence launch various other attacks from that system.

8. Rookits- A rootkit is a tool to make backdoor access to the system.

9. Keylogger- A keylogger is a program that keeps record of everything that users type such as passwords, financial information. etc.

Various measures to avoid Malware attacks are as follows -

1. Don't open mail from unrecognised source.

2. Use licenced and trusted softwares.

3. Install Antivirus and firewalls on your computer.

4. Do not open any link that may appear suspicious.

5. Update your OS for security patches.

6. Do not share your sensitive information such as passwords with anyone.

7. Keep Strong password and different password for various web portals and accounts.

8. Make sure your website connection is secures i.e. HTTPS

9. Do not login your Bank/Email accounts on public systems.

10. Update your antivirus and scan your system from time to time.