How to Protect Yourself from Stealthiness of Fileless Malware?

Over a period of time, malware attacks have become more sophisticated, and with each passing day, cybercriminals are getting more advanced in their malware attack techniques. They are continually modifying the underlying methodsto take full control of the system and to hide from the incessant vigilance of anti-malware software. The unprecedented rise of Fileless malware attacks is also noticed- where nefarious cybercriminals sneak in unsuspecting victim’s system using executable files. But what is unique about this malware is rather than using malicious software or downloads of executable files they often hide in memory directly into RAM, which makes it challenging to detect locations because it doesn’t leave behind any traces of its existence.Fileless malware stealthiness makes it unable to detect, and for a long time, it keeps on causing harm to your system. This malware remains two times ahead, so it doesn’t leave any footprints for anti-malware products to detect. What makes these type of malware attacks more widespread and stealthier is the use of tools like PowerShell, which infiltrate multiple machines.

 Fileless malware leverages legitimate and trusted programs running on the operating system to execute malicious activities like scouting, evasion, lateral movement, which makes it impossible to block the list of tools. They occasionally also use registry keys, APIs or scheduled tasks to exploit and spread in the victim’s system. It is really interesting to know how Fileless malware attackers exploit and preserve. It totally differs from many other traditional malware threats since other malware infects new systems using the file method. On the other hand, it is harder to detect and stop a Fileless malware attack. If you aren’t already very familiar with these malevolent Fileless techniques, you probably should know in order to safeguard your confidential information. No Worries! We’re here to guide you how this malicious malware works and how to stop it from infiltrating your computer system.

 

Fileless attacks use a distinctive technique called living-off-the land. This technique is used when cybercriminals target legitimate tools like Microsoft Office Macros, WMI, PowerShell and many more unconventional tools. It is sneakier in its activation mechanism because it doesn’t look for ways to install malicious files on your computer; preferably, they are installed by default. Once it gets a hold of your system, it hides there and executes its malicious activity while the programs continue to run. What makes Fileless malware attacks perilous is they can easily evade security products. To get purge of this Fileless malware, you need a robust and trusted anti-malware software which can proficiently detect its existence since it is a memory-based malware, not file-based.

 

How Fileless Malware Spread?

Use of Built-In and Trusted Applications: Fileless Malware targets highly-trusted and legitimate programs like Windows Management Instrumentation and Microsoft PowerShell remotely to perform malicious activities. It makes more perplexing for security programs and security analysts to catch this malware. What Fileless malware does is, it embeds malicious scripts into authentic PowerShell scripts. 

 

Phishing emails/Unsolicited Links: Even if you unintentionally click on pesky emails, unsolicited links or download files that are infected, they load to your system’s memory, which enables the hackers to remotely install codes via scripts that help in stealing your confidential information.

 

Already installed applications like Microsoft Word or JavaScript: Fileless malware can also enter your system through malicious code that is injected into an already established and trusted application which then hijacks and executes to activate the malicious program. 

 

Malicious Websites: Cybercriminals creates illicit and bogus websites that are designed in a way that appears to be like authentic and legitimate like real websites. When the unsuspecting user visits these websites, these counterfeit websites look for vulnerabilities in the Flash plugin, which makes the malicious codes to run in the browser memory. 

 

How to defend against Fileless Attack?

 

To get rid of such types of malware, one should firstly, remove the controlling component from the memory that is the root cause of exploitation and condition of your system. Afterwards, begin with the full-system antimalware scan. Also, one should reboot their system as Fileless malware works-in memory, and its operation ends when the user reboots their system. To shield yourself unreservedly you need a top-notch defencebyte anti-malwaresoftware as it is adept at automatically scanning, detecting and ultimately blocking the malevolent malware hidden in the PC. It is meticulously designed and is rated first-class for its malware detection capabilities.