Question

After reading about malware in chapter 5, pick and discuss one type of malware you consider the most dangerous and why? If you have one not in the textbook, describe it and why you think it is more dangerous. Provide and describe a real world example of this type of malware that has been used in an attack. Post your response to this forum. Add at least one (1) reference properly formatted in APA style and cited where used.  Also post a reply to at least one other person’s post.

Answer 1

Ans
malware is a software with malicious intention, the objective of a malware is to make trouble for the victim by
accessing victim's data/information in an unauthorized manner.

There are several types of malware
Viruses
Worms
Spyware
Trojan horse
Logic Bombs
Back doors
Key loggers
Ransomware

The most dangerous is RANSOMWARE

Ransomware accesses the data/information/files of a victim and makes these files inaccessible.
now victim is not able to access his/her files.

Remedy:

To avoid the effect of such attacks, business houses/companies should take data/files backup on daily basis.

Ransomware can be installed with the downloads.
if a victim clicks some link to download some media file, ransomware can take its place on victim's computer

Few types of ransomware

a)Encrypting ransomware
Ransomware encrypts the victim's files and demands money to make all the files available back to the victim.
b)Mobile ransomware
Ransomware locks the mobile phone's screen and demands money to unlock it.

RANSOMWARE is the most dangerous malware:-
consider a situation, if a kidnapper kidnaps some one's child and demands money to release his/her child.
Ransomware accesses the data/information/files of a victim and makes these files inaccessible.
now victim is not able to access his/her files.
the attacker demands money to make all the files available back to the victim.
if victim does not pay money to the attacker,then there are very very less chances to recover the data/files for the victim.

In case of ransom, no body can say what is the ransom amount(money).
ransom amount depends on two things
1)What is the value of data/files for a victim?
2)What is the paying capacity of a victim?

that's why attacker mostly targets the large business/large companies.
because,large business houses/companies may suffer due to unavailability of data/information/files.

Real world example
A hospital situated in Indiana.