Malware: Types, Risks, and How to Protect Your System with FS Group

Numbers That Will Make You Wanna Cry

Imagine this: a ransomware attack paralyzes your entire system, just like WannaCry (the name speaks for itself) did to companies around the globe in 2017. Over 200,000 computers across 150 countries were compromised, leading to financial chaos and operational breakdowns for countless organizations. Now, ask yourself:

• How prepared is your organization for a malware attack like this? Or for any malware attack?
• Are your defenses strong enough to fend off evolving threats?
• What would happen if, let’s say tomorrow, malware breached your system?
• Could you handle the fallout?
• What resources and tools do you have to mitigate the consequences?
• Is your Incident Response Plan up-to-date and ready to be put into action immediately, before it’s too late?

Malware is a ticking time bomb, waiting to exploit your system’s vulnerabilities, slip past outdated defenses, and disrupt operations. Cybersecurity Ventures predicts that Ransomware – one of the most common types of malware – will cost its victims around $265 billion annually by 2031, with a new attack on a consumer or business every 2 seconds. Is your organization ready to face this evolving battleground?

FS Group has been at the forefront of combating some of the world’s most devastating malware threats. With a decade of expertise in global cyber conflicts, especially during the ongoing russian-Ukrainian cyberwar, we understand how malware operates, how it’s hiding in encrypted traffic and exploiting unpatched software vulnerabilities, and, most importantly, – how it can be combated. We are here to identify, neutralize, and prevent malware attacks before they cripple your operations.

What Happens When Malware Strikes?

• Operational Disruption. Maersk, a Danish shipping company, had its global shipping paralyzed overnight in 2017 during the NotPetya attack. Your business can face a similar reality: network shutdowns, halted production lines, and stalled services. How long could your business survive an operational meltdown that puts on pause critical workflows?
• Financial Devastation. According to the Sophos data, in 2023 an average cost of recovering from a ransomware attack for companies was $1.82 million. (and that doesn’t even include paying the ransom itself!). And let’s not forget the indirect costs: lost contracts, reputational damage, regulatory fines. What if your financial reserves can’t sustain that level of loss?
• Data Breach Consequences. Malware serves as the gateway for other insidious attacks, such as data breaches. Sensitive customer or proprietary business data can be compromised and sold on the Dark Web, leading to fines under GDPR and other compliance regulations. Non-compliance can cost millions in fines, and that’s before factoring in the loss of customer trust, which could permanently damage your brand. The European Union’s leading privacy watchdog Irish Data Protection Сomission has imposed a €91 million ($101.5 million) fine on Meta for storing some users’ passwords in an unencrypted format. In 2023, the Irish Data Protection Сomission issued an even bigger fine on Meta Platforms Ireland Limited (Meta IE) – 1.2 billion euro, making it the largest GDPR fine ever.

Are You Doing Enough? Malware Prevention Questions CISOs Need to Ask 

• Is Your Incident Response Plan Up to Date? Malware evolves at a blistering pace and so should your defenses. If an attack happens tomorrow, does your team have an actionable, up-to-date plan? Will you be scrambling in chaos, or will you know exactly how to minimize damage?
• Do You Have Continuous Threat Monitoring? Most organizations detect malware too late, after critical damage has already been done. FS Group’s 24/7 threat monitoring products and services ensure you can stop the attack before it becomes a crisis.
• Can You Detect Malware Hidden in Encrypted Traffic? Modern malware hides in encrypted traffic, bypassing traditional detection systems. Is your organization equipped to monitor all traffic and detect malware hiding in your own network?

Steal Insight – Infostealer Malware Detector That Never Sleeps

FS Group’s Steal Insight is an advanced cybersecurity product designed to counter the threats posed by infostealer malware. Steal Insight leverages an innovative approach to safeguard your company’s information and prevent it from being stolen, sold, or disclosed on the Dark Web.

Steal Insight aggregates and processes log files collected by infostealer malware. Then it identifies where the compromised data is posted, collects it into a database, and displays a detailed report in a web interface. This allows you to protect corporate data and prevent leakage of sensitive documents, financial information, and employee credentials. Steal Insight database is also useful for OSINT investigations and for generating analytical reports.

With Steal Insight you receive:

• Advanced detection and Dark Web monitoring capabilities
• Early warning system of credential compromise
• Comprehensive reports based on collected infostealer data
• Detailed descriptions of types of infostealers affecting your company
• Detailed analytics on geo-distribution of stolen credentials
• Easy integration into your alert systems
• Powerful data analysis for timely prevention of data breaches

How To Keep Your Company’s Data Safe – Recommendations from FS Group’s Expert Team

• Follow security best practices and use a password manager for strong, unique passwords. 
• Protect your data with regular backups and testing of restore procedures to defend against ransomware and cyber attacks.
• Educate your employees to identify and avoid potential threats, such as phishing, and encourage two-factor authentication.
• Implement email security measures to block malicious content and prevent the spread of ransomware through email attachments.

Do More with FS Group’s Advanced Products and Services Tailored to Your Business

• Security Monitoring: With FS Group’s comprehensive range of products within Platform Blue, you receive continuous oversight of your systems in real time and the ability to detect and neutralize malware threats before they can cause significant harm.
• Phishing Protection: Our comprehensive phishing simulation reduces your team’s risk of falling victim to phishing schemes. Regular simulated attacks ensure your employees are prepared to identify and avoid threats.
• Vulnerability Assessment and Pen Testing: FS Group’s PenTest and Vulnerability Scanning services are your go-to ways to identify and close security gaps. We conduct thorough examinations of your computer systems and simulate real-world cyberattacks to identify security weaknesses and help you protect your organization from breaches and sensitive data exposure.
• Incident Response: If a malware attack happens, FS Group’s Incident Response Team (FS IRT) steps in immediately to contain and resolve the threat, minimize system downtime and damage, and provide actionable recommendations on preventing further cyber incidents.
• Zero-Trust Security: FS Group’s DeepInk strengthens your network by verifying identities before granting access. Secure your business and avoid the risk of compromised credentials with data leak prevention API developed by FS Group.
• Vulnerability Patching: Ensure timely patching of systems to address security flaws as soon as the updates are released. FS Group’s DeepRadium is an advanced cybersecurity solution designed to patch vulnerabilities and protect your business using the API delivery method.

FS Group’s Malware Prevention Capabilities: Case Study

When a major Ukrainian governmental agency with over 100,000 employees faced a malware attack, their in-house team couldn’t identify the source of the infection or assess the true extent of the damage. That’s when FS Group’s Incident Response Team stepped in.

The Challenge
An infected file had been found, but the agency didn’t have the tools and the expertise to ensure the malware had been fully eradicated. What if the entire network was compromised?

The Solution
Using our advanced digital forensics platform, FS Group traced the infection source, neutralized the malware, and produced a 20-page report detailing the attack vector, system vulnerabilities, and critical security patches to prevent future incidents.

The Result
Within a week, the threat was contained, systems were secured, and operations resumed without further incidents. This is the kind of comprehensive response FS IRT delivers for all our clients.

More about Successful Malware Incident Investigation for a Major Ukrainian Public Agency by FS Group

FS IRT – Your Cyber Army on Demand

FS Group Incident Response Team offers comprehensive cybersecurity services, tailored to your company’s specific and urgent needs.

• The team provides incident response, conducts thorough forensic investigations, penetration testing, phishing simulation, and vulnerability scanning of your applications. FS IRT provides reports and actionable recommendations to strengthen your organization’s cyber posture in the long run. 
• Expert consultations and up to 60 hours of investigation work are included in the service packages.
• FS IRT will ensure your employees are ready for potential future attacks by providing expert training.

Why choose FS Group’s IRT?

• It costs less, but gives more.
• You don’t waste any time.
• You are flexible with subscription to security.

Types of Malware: Know What You’re Up Against

Viruses
Malicious code that infects legitimate software and spreads, destroying or corrupting essential data, halting critical systems, and opening backdoors for more sophisticated attacks. The more your system depends on outdated software, the more vulnerable it becomes.

Worms
These self-replicating programs exploit network vulnerabilities, spreading across multiple devices and bringing your entire system to a crawl. Some worms are designed to create backdoors for hackers, giving them unauthorized remote access to your network.

Trojans
Often disguised as legitimate software, Trojans give attackers a foothold inside your system. Once inside, they steal sensitive information, create unauthorized user accounts, or install more dangerous malware. Trojans often act as the first step in multi-stage cyberattacks, designed to paralyze your defenses from the inside.

Ransomware
This is the modern-day hijacking of your business. Ransomware locks users out of their systems or encrypts data, demanding payment to regain access. Ransomware attacks comprise almost half of all severe cyber-attacks in Sweden. 

Spyware & Keyloggers
These hard-to-detect threats record your keystrokes and steal login credentials, potentially exposing you to corporate espionage or larger security breaches.

Adware
Though not as dangerous, adware slows down your system, collecting data and compromising your privacy by inundating you with targeted ads. In some cases, adware also opens the door for more dangerous malware strains to infiltrate your network.

FS Group’s Approach Is Beyond Basic Protection

FS Group offers more than just malware detection. Our range of cybersecurity services suits every business’s needs. We are here for you right at this moment.

• Threat Intelligence: FS Group’s products gather data from even the most hard-to-reach Dark Web sources, anticipating threats before they materialize.
• Vulnerability Assessments & Penetration Testing: We continuously probe your defenses, simulating real-world attacks to expose and close security gaps.
• 24/7 Incident Response Team (IRT): Available day or night, FS Group’s IRT is there for you the moment malware is detected to ensure minimal damage and maximum recovery.

FS Group: Your Partner in Handling Malware Incidents

With over 11 years of experience, 500+ cyber incidents resolved, and unique insights gained from real-world cyber conflicts, FS Group is the partner you need to stay ahead of cyber threats. From advanced threat intelligence to immediate incident response, we offer a full spectrum of products and services tailored to your organization’s size and needs.

Act Before It’s Too Late

The next malware attack could be moments away. Are your defenses strong enough to withstand it? Now is the time to act. Let FS Group fortify your systems and protect your business from malware threats.

Contact FS Group for a consultation today and ensure your organization has everything that’s needed to stay ahead of cybercriminals.