Beware of malware attacks: Little-known facts and why they matter

Did you know that nearly 560,000 new instances of malware are detected every day?

As cybersecurity advances, threat actors develop malware with new tricks that exploit weaknesses in an IT environment. Once the malware finds a loophole, it spreads exponentially like a disease, corrupting files, exfiltrating data, redirecting traffic to other destinations, and performing other malicious activities. 

Malware can spread at a jaw-dropping rate. Hundreds and thousands of files, irrespective of whether they’re stored on the internet or computers, are infected on a daily basis. 

How safe are your machines? 

Your machines, irrespective of whether they utilize a Windows, Linux, or Mac OS, can be exposed to thousands of malware attacks each day. Malware is constantly on the lookout for vulnerabilities in your IT environment. If the malware detects a vulnerability in just one computer, it can leverage that weakness to move laterally into your IT environment. 

What is lateral movement? 

Lateral movement is a technique used by malware to plunge deeper into your network. Once initial access is gained in one computer, the malware can jump to other computers in your network in search of sensitive data and high-value assets. 

A vulnerability in one computer can expose your entire IT environment to malware attacks. Shocking, isn’t it? But wait, here comes the twist.

 Some malware are backdoors…

What is a backdoor malware attack? 

A backdoor attack is when malware leverages weak entry points, such as compromised passwords, poor authentication management, and inadequate endpoint security to gain initial access. Once it enters your network, it erases its trail stealthily. Later, when the malware re-enters your network, it can use the same path without raising any alarm.

How can you protect your machines from malware? 

Two types of malware discovered recently have caused mayhem in the Linux world: 

• RedXOR
• Mamba

RedXOR is a backdoor malware targeting Linux systems, specifically Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 6. Although RHEL 6 has been designated as in its end-of-life status, many Linux users are still using it. Mamba is a ransomware that the FBI and the US Department of Homeland Security have issued a high-level warning about. It has garnered the attention of security professionals worldwide.

 In the following video, we address:

• How malware operates inside a resource.
• Weak entry points that malware, like RedXOR and Mamba, use to gain access into Linux resources.
• Safeguarding your machines (Windows, macOS, and Linux) using a powerful tool that provides advanced authentication strategies, concrete endpoint security for both remote and local logons, and more.

Learn more about the recent FBI and the US Department of Homeland Security high-level malware alert by watching the video.

Want to jump into the tool straight away? No problem. ADSelfService Plus is an integrated self-service password management and single sign-on solution with powerful features to protect your organisation against malware. Learn more about its features.

Explore ADSelfService Plus by booking a free demo today.