For small- to medium-sized business owners, Malware and computer viruses aren’t just technical problems, they’re one of the most feared opponents of today’s business operations. And they are getting faster.
The Scary Facts: Attacks that occurred once every 40 seconds in 2016 are now happening as frequently as once every 11 seconds (2021 data). These attacks cause significant damages and often leave no trace of origin. The 2018 SamSam ransomware attack, for instance, cost the Local Government of Arizona over $5 million to rebuild their infrastructure. The first step toward securing your business is simply understanding the enemy.
The next step?
Investing in an expert cyber-security system and creating strong awareness among your employees.
What are 5 Critical Facts About Computer Viruses?
To quickly satisfy your search for facts, here are five critical things every non-technical business owner should know right now:
- “Virus” is Often the Wrong Word. Most digital attacks today are actually Malware (a catch-all for malicious software like ransomware and spyware). A true computer virus is a specific type of malware designed only to replicate itself.
- They Want Your Money (and Data). Modern attacks aren’t just pranks. They’re part of a massive criminal industry. Statistics suggest that ransomware attacks alone generate a phenomenal $25 million in revenue for hackers each year.
- Your Phone is a Target. It’s not just your desktop computer. All internet-connected devices (phones, tablets, and even smart office equipment) are vulnerable to malware.
- Infection Isn’t Always Obvious. Many forms of malware (Rootkits and Spyware) are designed to run silently in the background, stealing data or giving hackers remote access without showing any sign until the damage is done.
- They Need Your Help to Work. Most malware needs you (or an employee) to make a mistake, like clicking a bad link or opening an attachment, to activate. Human error is the #1 security weakness.
What is Malware? (And What Can It Do?)
Malware is simply a word stitched together for “malicious software.” These are codes developed by hackers to sneak in, gain unauthorized access to your network, or damage your computers and mobile devices by exploiting security weaknesses. Once active, these nasty programs are capable of:
- Hijacking your system operations.
- Drastically lowering computer performance.
- Extracting personally identifiable information (PII) and other sensitive information.
- Deleting or encrypting your essential business data. Here is a list of the most common malware types and how they operate:
Ransomware
As the name implies, ransomware holds your business data hostage. It encrypts your files and then demands a ransom (most commonly payable in Bitcoin) to release the decryption key. These attackers often masquerade as law enforcement to create a false sense of urgency.
Worms
Worms are dangerous because they can spread on their own. Once infected, they can modify, delete, or steal critical business data and create a back door for the hacker. Some can even duplicate themselves rapidly until they exhaust your hard drive and erode network bandwidth.
Computer Viruses
Computer Viruses are the original digital pest. Unlike other malware, they do not directly steal data. Instead, they replicate themselves, attaching to and altering other programs according to their own code when executed, just like a biological virus.
Adware
Adware is the annoying one. It mostly appears as advertisement pop-ups that, once clicked, can access information like your location or browser history. Since users sometimes give consent (unintentionally, by clicking “I Agree”), it technically might not be classified as malware.
Spyware
Spyware is much more aggressive because it doesn’t ask for permission. It silently gains unauthorized access to your browser history, location data, and even keystrokes (making weak passwords easy for hackers to spot). Spyware is purely malicious and can actively interfere with your network security systems.
Bugs
While not technically malware, Bugs are software errors, flaws in the code, that negatively affect a system’s performance. They can still be devastating for business continuity. The standard indicator that you have a bug problem is constant software crashing and freezing.
Rootkits and Trojan Horses
These two types of malware can be used to give a hacker complete control of your computer system.
- Trojan Horses hide by masquerading as legitimate files or software (e.g., a fake update file). Once installed, they go to work.
- Rootkits are designed to go completely unnoticed and actively hide their presence. Detecting them often requires an expert, real-time monitoring system.
How do Malware and Viruses Infect and Spread?
Descriptions of common malware make the intentions of the hacker evident. Whether authorized or otherwise, hackers design malware to gain access to computer systems, files and critical business data for the purpose of exploiting and personal gain. Most malware requires the user’s unintentional consent to gain access and therefore disguise themselves. It can come in the form of advertisements, urgent emails, lucrative opportunities, Email attachments, internet file downloads and social media scam links.
These are a few methods by which cyber-attacks are spread through the web. In respect to email attachments, many assume that emails from known senders are safe to open and download. But a risk of contacts being manipulated by malware may persist. Furthermore, for many, personal data, photos shared on social media and other files may seem insignificant to a hacker. But there are risks where this type of information could be extracted to spearhead high intelligent cybercrimes in high profile organizations.
Other ways by which malware and computer viruses spread is by connecting to infected devices such as external hard drives and network devices and leaving operating systems accessible and vulnerable for infection.
Is Your Computer Safe? (4 Crucial Security Steps)
Sometimes, spotting an infection is as simple as noticing a sudden drop in system performance. But often, malware is detected after its purpose has been served (like when ransomware finishes encrypting all your files).
You need a robust, proactive cybersecurity plan.
This includes having your network monitored round the clock so threats are caught before they catch you!
Actionable Prevention: What to Do Now
Here are the core security steps every business must follow
- Keep Systems Updated: Always install OS and application updates immediately. These updates close the security loopholes that hackers exploit.
- Use Protection: Employ reputable antivirus/anti-malware software across all devices.
- Never Click Unexpected Links: Train employees to never click on unexpected links or attachments, even if the sender looks familiar.
- Use a Firewall: Ensure you have an active, professional-grade firewall between your network and the outside world.
Here at CSG Technologies, we specialize in providing this robust, continuous protection. Ready to lock down your business? Contact our IT professionals today to schedule a complimentary security assessment.
