There is nothing better than use a computer with all optimal conditions so that we can work, or to entertain ourselves freely. But, this tranquility is found constantly threatened by malicious code.
These attacks are the most powerful threats so far. Their form of spread, types of infection and the control they may take over our computer assets, are the ones that make malicious codes our worst nightmare.
Know how to face and attack them, it is the best strategy to deal with these threats. For this reason, today we will show you everything you need to know about these powerful cyber attacks and how to avoid them.
What is malicious code and what is it for in computing?
Malicious codes they are scripts designed with the intention of taking advantage of the errors or vulnerabilities of a computer, opening gaps for the theft of information, forming backdoors, and weaknesses in the security of the system. Kaspersky Lab emphasizes that a simple antivirus you cannot fully control the behavior of malicious code.
Because these are scripts that hijack vulnerabilities, to compromise the health of a team, resulting in a rapid infection of the system. Antiviruses can only fully protect us from malware, as it is a milder infection. The difference between malware and malicious code, is that the latter can even infect the antimalware virus detection algorithm, leaving it totally inoperative.
This self-executing software can be presented in different ways, the main and most common are:
- Applets Java
- Controls by ActiveX
- Content Incorporated
- Plugin
- Idioms script
- In languages programming
- Emails
Malicious code it’s such a powerful infection, which even the Office of Responsibility of the US Government, warns in its statements that this type of attack is a threat even to your internal security.
Types of malicious code What are all that exist?
Malicious codes are one of the most aggressive infections that can exist. If we want to keep our computer protected, the most logical thing is to know what are the different presentations of this code.
In order to establish effective countermeasures:
Virus
The virus are those malicious codes, whose objective is to upset the algorithmic process of a computer, allowing it to open the way to critical and important sites of the system, it is mostly housed in RAM. Are considered highly damaging and can seriously affect all computing assets stored on a computer. The loss of confidentiality can be high, when we are in the presence of this malicious code.
Worms
Its main feature is your fast cloningIn addition, it does not need any human intervention to meet the objective of infecting all files, information theft, and affect the operation of a computer. These are known as Worms, and their main point of accommodation are the RAM memories, making them their center of contamination. On the other hand also can affect the stability of a network.
Trojans
They are called like this, for their first-face sample of a harmless software, whose objective is position yourself on the computer, crash the system, and make a massive theft of information. The main data that this infection seeks to obtain from a system, are all credentials, including social media.
Keyloggers
The keyloggers are the pulsation loggers. These viruses have been dedicated since their inception, in the registry of each typing by means of the keyboard. Its threat level is not very high since, even with our infected system, we can work with minimal loss of information. The purpose of sending this malicious code, is to generate data containing all writes, of passwords, users and private information, without the owner being aware of their presence.
Spyware
The Spyware They are the malicious codes that have the greatest function and development on a PC. Just by contaminating it, they can extract important data such as the keys to our accounts banking.
Also, they can present us en masse the publicitary advertisements, and degrade system performance. On many occasions this infection gives way to others, which is called in Spanish as a back door, not only because it diverts information, but also because it allows the entry of computer viruses and worms.
Malicious bots
Your behavior it’s like that of a trojan, but with the difference that it is installed from a vulnerability, and waits for the programmer’s orders to steal information and degrade system performance. Reason why it is called as the BackDoors Trojan, or back door.
Macro virus
This infection enter through Word or Excel files apparently normal. They hide in the macros of the files that we share, or download from the Internet. Then they self-execute and propagate quickly in all our documents.
The purpose of this malicious code, is to extract as much information as possible, without leaving a high record of the operation, affecting in the same way our saved information, through the alteration of content or the elimination of files. All the activities you do on a computer, depend on the orders of their creator.
What are the main contagion mechanisms for malicious code?
There are many forms and mechanisms that attackers use to infect systems and steal information. The most common infections come from file downloads on the Internet, mostly when are pirate packages. All internet files that come from fraudulent websites, are infected by malicious code, mostly self-executing.
This is the small detail that no one observes when purchasing pirated digital products. Other contagion mechanisms, is the use of P2P networks, including gift packages. Like downloads from fraudulent sites, come infected with malicious code, prepared to steal our information and disable our computer. As for offline infections, there are infections from memories and external devices.
Simply by inserting the disk into the computer, the malicious code can execute itself, and start performing its scheduled tasks without us noticing its existence. Just like if you go out to a dangerous place you take care of your belongings, you should also do it when you go online, as it is full of people who live from the computer attack. Even when we are in our social networks or e-mail account, we must avoid downloading files that are sent to us by chat, of accounts that we do not identify.
Tips to protect your operating system from malicious code and programs
To avoid being victims of the cyber attack, we must do some key activities that will help us to be more protected. The first thing is to verify that all our programs and operating systems are in their most recent version, avoiding the passage of vulnerability infections. Too, we must have a good antimalwares. The use of antivirus in its free mode is not recommended, because these, because they are in a test mode, ignore some threats, and allow free access to infection.
For this reason, the use of its paid versions is recommended, as they offer better protection in all senses. Regarding Internet downloads, we must avoid extracting files found on untrusted websites. They deceive us by offering us content illegally without payment, infecting us without our being able to perceive it.
On the other hand, external storage devices, We should not insert them into our PC without first verifying their origin, because it is the most direct way to implant an infection in the systems. There are many other ways to protect ourselves against attacks and infections, however, follow these tips that we mentioned, is the fundamental key to avoid being contaminated and our information is disclosed.