Believe Your PC is Secure? Revealing the Most Well-Known Computer Malware in the Cyberworld!
Back in 1966, a computer expert and mathematician named John von Neumann released an essay titled, “Concept of self-replicating mechanisms”.
It might possibly be the earliest time computer malware called “automata” were documented. Since that time, the globe has encountered multiple types of computer malware that have caused significant harm to businesses and individuals.
One of the most astonishing intriguing details about computer malware is that in 1990, there were merely 50 recognized malware compared to the current tally of over 45,000!
Considering the digital sphere is full of hazards, it’s imperative to acquaint yourself with popular computer malware monikers and understand them to safeguard your equipment. Let’s delve in!
Which is the Most Renowned Computer Malware?
A computer malware is a malevolent computer program or software crafted to autonomously replicate and disseminate to diverse computer systems with the intent of causing damage. For instance, upon downloading a malevolent email attachment onto your system, it merges with other programs, embeds harmful code, and alters them. Consequently, a genuine computer malware facilitates a hacker in purloining data, disrupting services, seizing control of accounts, and creating other security predicaments.
Many regard the ILOVEYOU virus as the most famous computer malware. This malware emotionally manipulates victims, sabotaging computer systems and incurring billions in losses.
Top Ten Renowned Computer Malware Titles
These are the ten most (in)famous titles of computer malware that you should be informed about:
- MyDoom: Unleashed for the first time in 2004, the MyDoom malware dispersed through email attachments and converted multiple computers across the planet into zombies. The email contained the message, “I’m just executing my duty, nothing personal, apologies”. MyDoom was among the quickest-spreading computer malware, enabling hackers to initiate DDoS assaults impacting companies like Google. It has led to damages worth $38 billion and infected over 500k machines till date.
- ILOVEYOU: Also recognized as the Loveletter or Love Bug, the ILOVEYOU malware is one of the most malevolent computer malware that plagued Windows systems circa May 2000. The ILOVEYOU worm emotionally targeted individuals, enticing them to launch the email and attachments bearing subject lines – “ILOVEYOU” and “Love-Letter”. Upon installation on a device, it overwrites system files and self-replicates to all addresses from the Windows Address Book. This facilitates a rapid spread and has incurred over US$8 billion in losses thus far.
- Code Red: Initiated on July 13, 2001, the Code Red malware was devised to assault systems operating the IIS web server by Microsoft. By July 19, 2001, it had successfully infiltrated around 359k host systems and possibly billions of dollars in damages. The Code Red malware operates in memory and does not retain any data on a lasting storage medium like hard drives. Upon infecting a webpage, it showcased the message, “Hacked by Chinese!”.
- Slammer: First spotted in 2003, the SQL Slammer malware targeted servers utilizing SQL Server 2003 software by Microsoft. It exploited a buffer overrun or overflow glitch in Microsoft’s Desktop Engine and SQL Server. Infecting individuals within the initial 10 minutes of its emergence, the malware impacted around 75k individuals, predominantly from Europe, Asia, and North America. It brought about renowned computer malware attacks like DDoS, crashed routers globally, and slowed down internet traffic, leading to halting operations of prominent services such as 911 and bank ATMs.
- CryptoLocker: One of the most recent computer malware from September 2013, CryptoLocker is a form of ransomware that infiltrates Windows computers and prevents owners from accessing them. The malware empowers hackers to encrypt system data and demand a ransom from victims in exchange for surrendering the decryption key for access. CryptoLocker propagates via phishing emails containing deceitful attachments that appear authentic, deceiving individuals into launching them. The group behind the spread of this malware is believed to have extorted roughly $3 million via CryptoLocker.
- Sasser & Netsky: In April 2004, Microsoft issued a security update to rectify the LSASS vulnerability in Windows XP and 2000. However, numerous organizations neglected it. Exploiting the situation, a German adolescent named Sven Jaschan concocted the Sasser malware that arose in May 2004. Jaschan also developed another malware, Netsky, which propagates through emails, deceiving individuals into utilizing it as a security remedy for the Sasser malware. Together, Sasser and Netsky incurred millions in damages, impacting satellite communications, banks, flights, and hospitals.
- Conficker: The Conficker malware, known alternatively as Kido, Downadup, and Downup, emerged in November 2008. It targets Windows systems and is arduous to rectify as it exploits multiple advanced malware technologies. It spread to around 15 million computers in 190+ countries, impacting home computers, businesses, and governments.
- Storm Worm: Storm worm is a Trojan horse phishing malware that impacts systems running on Microsoft OSes. The worm gained prominence on January 17, 2007, and spread through emails with enticing subject lines, such as “23- deceased as storm batters Europe”, “Saddam Hussain alive!”, “FBI vs Facebook”, etc. The email contained exceedingly resilient malware in its attachment and was accountable for 8% of global malware infections by January 2007.
- Anna Kournikova Virus: Jan de Wit, a Dutch student, formulated the Anna Kournikova virus in Feb 2001 to deceive individuals into launching an email attachment titled AnnaKournikova.jpg.vbs. He embedded malware in this attachment that brought about around US 166k worth of damage according to the FBI.
- Stuxnet: Discovered in 2010, the Stuxnet malware primarily targets Windows systems, programming logic controllers (PLCs), and supervisory controls and data acquisition (SCADA) systems. It exploits zero-day vulnerabilities, gathers industrial system data, and leads to centrifuges in factories breaking apart. The malware significantly disrupted Iran’s nuclear projects and numerous individuals believe the US and Israel collaborated to devise the malware as a cyber weapon.
Secure Digitally, Secure With Quick Heal
Have you ever encountered a renowned computer malware?
What destruction did it trigger?
What steps did you take to avert it?
Computer malware can wreak havoc on your digital domain. As fresh digital perils continue to progress, it has turned indispensable for you to adopt security precautions.
Stay protected by utilizing advanced antivirus solutions like Quick Heal Total Security and safeguard your family members and your enterprise. Its GoDeep.ai technology provides comprehensive protection against computer malware.
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