Malware and Other Common Cyber Attacks

Name: Malware and Other Common Cyber Attacks
Author: Martha Percival-Dangleben

Learn about malware attacks and how to prevent them

Preview the first lesson free — get full access to all 3 lessons.

Course: On-Demand

(music plays) Malware is short for malicious software. It is software designed to steal information and damage or disable devices, computer systems, and networks. Malware can be downloaded and installed on devices via a phishing email, attachment, fake website, or flash drive. Examples of malware include viruses, worms, spyware, and bots. A virus is a malicious software that alters how your computer normally operates. The virus remains dormant until an infected file or application such as a web browser, Word file, or website becomes active. Once activated, the virus can replicate itself and spread from one computer to another until the entire computer network is infected. For example, if you catch a cold, you can spread the cold to others by coughing or sneezing. With a computer virus, the virus is spread when an infected file or application is open. Viruses are used to steal confidential information, gain unauthorized access, or cause damage to the computer device or network. A worm is like a virus, but the difference is that a worm does not require any action. A file or application does not have to be opened for it to infect a computer. It is a standalone software that once installed can spread from the infected computer throughout the entire network. SQL Slammer is a well-known worm that crashed computer systems around the world in 2003. It targeted random IP addresses, which are tags used to recognize individual devices connected to the internet and sent itself out into them, infecting an estimated 250,000 computers across the internet. Spyware is a form of malware that monitors what you do on your computer without you knowing that it is installed. It tracks what sites you visit and what software you download and can steal confidential information such as login credentials, and account information. A keylogger is a type of spyware that can capture your keystrokes, recording everything you type on your keyboard from passwords to online messages. Another form of malware is a bot, which is an infected computer that can be controlled remotely by an attacker. The bot, or botnet, a collection of infected computers, can be used to spread the malware to other computers. Botnets can infect millions of devices at one time. Signs of an infected device include unexpected pop-up windows, changes that you did not make to your browser homepage, slow computer performance, or unknown programs starting when the computer boots up, or when you open a specific application installed on your computer. Once a device is infected with malware, it can cause damage to that computer or spread to an entire network. There are security tools that can be used to remove malware such as McAfee, Norton, Microsoft Windows Defender, and Malwarebytes among others. Depending on the operating system of the device, you would install the appropriate version of the tool to scan the device for malware removal. Here's some key steps to prevent malware attacks. Back up files regularly to an external hard drive or reputable cloud storage. Download software directly from legitimate sites such as Microsoft.com. Pay attention to your browser's security warnings before visiting a site. Do not click on links or download attachments from unsolicited emails. Even if you recognize the sender, contact them by phone using a known number, not the one included in the email, to verify. Do not click on popups or ads about your device's performance. Do not use unknown USB drives. Scan approved USB drives using an antivirus software before using them. Set your operating system, antivirus, and other software to receive security fixes and updates automatically. Use a firewall if possible. Windows devices, offer firewall protection by default, and verify permissions and only grant what is really needed before installing new apps. For example, if an app doesn't need access to your photos, then do not grant access.

Intermediate Provider : Martha Percival-Dangleben 3 Lessons · 18m in Arabic, German, English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Chinese

Course Description

The more we shop and interact with friends, family, and businesses online, the more we expose ourselves to potential security threats. Some are easy to spot and prevent, but others can be more difficult. As hackers become more adept at finding ways into our lives and our personal information, we are required to become more knowledgeable about their techniques and more adept at avoiding their traps. This means understanding the various forms of security assaults they will attempt and arming ourselves proactively to prevent the attacks and the negative consequences.

In these lessons on Malware and Other Common Cyber Attacks, you’ll first learn what malware is, the different forms it can take, and why its impacts are so harmful. You’ll also discover other types of cyberattacks such as password attacks, ransomware, and adversarial artificial intelligence. You’ll learn what these attacks look like in the real world and why they’re so successful. At the end of the lessons, you’ll gain best practices for preventing your life or your business from being disrupted by these attempts to steal vital information.

What You'll Learn

Understand what malware is and how it functions
Identify the different forms malware can take and why its impacts are so harmful
Recognize common cyberattacks including password attacks and ransomware
Examine the role adversarial artificial intelligence (AI) plays in cyberattacks
Apply best practices for preventing attacks that disrupt your life or business and steal vital information

Key Takeaways

The more we shop and interact online, the more we expose ourselves to potential security threats, some easy to spot and others more difficult.
As hackers become more adept at finding ways into our personal information, we must become more knowledgeable about their techniques and better at avoiding their traps.
Malware can take different forms, and understanding these forms helps explain why its impacts are so harmful.
Other cyberattacks such as password attacks, ransomware, and adversarial artificial intelligence are examined through what they look like in the real world and why they are so successful.
Best practices can help prevent your life or business from being disrupted by attempts to steal vital information.

Frequently Asked Questions

What will I learn in this course?

You'll first learn what malware is, the different forms it can take, and why its impacts are so harmful. You'll also discover other types of cyberattacks such as password attacks, ransomware, and adversarial artificial intelligence, what they look like in the real world, and why they're so successful, and you'll gain best practices for prevention.

What cyberattacks does this course cover?

The course covers malware, password attacks, and ransomware/adversarial artificial intelligence.

What skills does this course help build?

It helps build skills in attack patterns, cyber defense, cyber risk, cyber security, cyber threat intelligence, and malware analysis.

Who is this course for?

It is for anyone who shops and interacts with friends, family, and businesses online and wants to become more knowledgeable about hackers' techniques and more adept at avoiding their traps to protect their life or business.

How does adversarial AI relate to this course?

One of the learning objectives is to recognize the role adversarial artificial intelligence (AI) plays in cyberattacks, and it is covered alongside ransomware in the lessons.