LOGIC BOMB MALWARE AND HOW IT AFFECTS YOU?
When using devices, connecting to the network, making use of platforms or installing programs, we can find many threats. There are many types of malware that in one way or another can put our security at risk and affect the proper functioning of computers. Let's see what a logic bomb attack consists of. It is a type of malware that could seriously affect us and is part of the range of possibilities that cybercriminals have.
Logic bomb attacks
We can say that a logic
bomb malware is based on inserting malicious code into a program and remains
hidden there until the time comes and it is executed. The hacker in this case
programs a series of actions that this malware will perform once certain
conditions are met.
It is a very dangerous
type of attack, since the victim installs this software without showing signs
that something is wrong. Unlike many other varieties of malware, the effect is
not immediate. We are not going to notice that the computer malfunctions that
it shuts down, no additional installed programs appear or anything strange.
We can name many types of
malware that nothing more than download affects their proper functioning. But
in this case things change. With a malicious logic bomb software we will not
notice anything until the moment comes and it “explodes”.
Undoubtedly this that we
mention is a significant disadvantage for the victim. You won't know right away
that your computer has been infected, so you won't take quick action to try to
mitigate the problem either.
This type of threat is
also known as a time bomb. This is so because the cybercriminal can schedule an
exact date for it to run. But generally something common in this type of
malware is that it is executed when the user, the victim in short, performs an
action. For example, when opening the browser, when installing a specific
program, opening a file ... Malware can be designed to act at that moment.
How logic bomb malware can affect?
It should be noted that
logic bomb malware can affect us in very different way . Everything will depend
on the malicious code that the hacker has introduced and the target that the
hacker is really looking for with this attack. However, the privacy of the
victim is something that will always be at stake.
Delete files
A logic bomb attack can be
designed to wipe files from the system. A cybercriminal could have created this
malicious software with the sole objective that when a program is opened, by
using a function on the computer, the malware will run and delete files.
It may happen that the
objective is simply to delete a type of file, certain folders, but also to
completely empty a memory or hard disk. This is logically a major problem that
could affect vital information for a business.
Steal information
Information is precisely
another objective they may have. Malware of this type may have been designed to
collect data, steal personal or company information. It can be to sell to third
parties, to extort money and threaten to offer it to the competition, etc.
Keep in mind that today
our information has great value on the Internet. We can be victims of spam
campaigns, for example. Hence, we must always keep our personal data safe.
Prevent access to programs or services
Another issue to take into
account is that it could prevent access to certain installed applications or
services that we use. It can block the connection, prevent us from logging in,
or make it difficult for that program to work in any way.
For example, they could
design malware of this type so that it runs in a certain company and that
workers cannot access management applications, accounting or any tool that is
essential for everything to go well.
Use our accounts
But something very
important is the misuse of our accounts. A logic bomb malware could be designed
to send an email on our behalf, for example. You would use our team to run spam
campaigns or even compromise the safety of other users.
It could also be designed
to consume system resources and squeeze the most out of hardware. This could
lead to a significant loss of performance, crashes, system outages, etc. They
could use this to mine cryptocurrencies, for example. Also to misuse the
equipment and once again send files on our behalf.
How to protect ourselves from this threat?
We have seen what a logic
bomb attack is and how it could affect us. It is something that we must avoid
at all costs and protect ourselves adequately. For this reason, we are going to
give a series of important tips to protect our computers and avoid being
victims of these types of threats, as well as other similar ones that may
affect us.
Use security programs
Something fundamental to
protect ourselves from any cyber problem is to always use antivirus security tools.
Having a good antivirus can help us prevent the entry of threats. It is
something that we must apply no matter what type of operating system we use.
There are many free and paid options.
But we are not only
talking about antivirus,
since we can also install firewall, antispyware or even extensions for the
browser. All of this can help us keep equipment protected and avoid problems of
this kind.
Keep equipment up-to-date
Without a doubt, another
very important factor is keeping the equipment updated. On many occasions,
hackers take advantage of vulnerabilities in systems. These bugs allow the
entry of malware, such as logic bombs.
We must always keep all
the patches and updates that are available. This way we will correct those
errors and prevent them from being exploited by third parties to put our
security and privacy at risk.
Always download from trusted sources
It is always advisable to
download from reliable sources and also official software. It is true that
sometimes we can find alternatives, with other varieties of software that can
offer different functions and characteristics. However, we could run into
problems. Hence, it is highly advisable to download only from safe and reliable
sites.
Do not forget common sense.
Hackers in most cases will require the interaction of the victim. For example,
download an attachment that comes to us by mail, install some type of software
or enter a web page.
At all times we must avoid
making mistakes of this type that may affect us. It is essential to preserve
security and not expose our data more than necessary. This will be essential to
reduce risk.
Ultimately, a logic bomb
attack is a very important problem that we must avoid. We have explained some
tips to be protected at all times and reduce the risk of being attacked by this
method.
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