You can call them whatever you want: viruses, malware, worms, they are all malicious code that is circulating, and of course there are those who try to load it onto our computers.
The question is: Why? Why in the world of the Internet do some “bad guys” go to such lengths to develop Malware?
Let's look at the 5 reasons for the existence of Malware:
1. The power of your computer is an asset that Malware Makers want to acquire
There is a shadowy underground economy where “bad guys” pay other “bad guys” to infect computers with malware. Once your computer has been infected with certain types of malware, it can be sold as a slave to a botnet. These “zombies” or “slave” computers are controlled by a command and control center.
The infected computers are sold by the thousands and can be used for Distributed Denial of Service attacks.
2. Your bandwidth is a valuable asset for Malware Makers
Once cybercriminals have sufficient computing resources, they need the other half of the equation, which is bandwidth, to be able to carry out successful DDoS attacks.
The faster your Internet connection, the more valuable your computer is to the owner of a botnet.
3. Your personal information is valuable
Your social security number and other personal data are extremely valuable to criminals looking to profit from it. Malware can gather this information directly from your hard drive, or scammers can install a keylogging software that will show them everything you type.
4. Extortion
Besides using your personal information for identity theft, some malware creators use the well‑known malicious software Ransomware to encrypt your data and demand a ransom. As with any extortion, do not pay the money they ask for, because there is no guarantee they will keep their promise and unlock your files. By paying them the ransom, you encourage them to try the scam on more people.
Other malware, such as Scareware, can trick you into installing a program or purchasing software you don't need, threatening you. They usually claim that you have committed a crime and must pay a fine, or that something is wrong with your computer and only the tool they offer can fix the problem. Watch out for fake antivirus programs that are circulating.
5. Hacktivists, Anarchists, pranks, and other reasons
In all the above cases, money appears to be the dominant motive for creating malicious software. However, there are also other reasons why programmers write malware. Some malware is developed for political reasons, and others for a joke (e.g., the famous worm Rickroll). Some simply want to cause panic and chaos.
6. The reason that many think about and no one mentions
Is it paranoia? Maybe yes, maybe not. Although it sounds like it, no one has proven it.
Security companies themselves distribute malicious software, while also offering the solution. Although there is no evidence for this, we thought it would be good to mention it.
For protection, use a second scanner for malware as well. Additionally, use an open DNS resolver that filters websites containing malware.
