Have you heard of memory-resistant malware? It’s become an increasingly common form of malicious software. In the past, malware consisted exclusively of files. While file-based malware is still around, there are now forms of malware that don’t contain any files, such as memory-resident malware. For a better understanding of memory-resident malware, keep reading.
What Is Memory-Resident Malware?
Memory-resident malware consists of malicious software that’s stored in a targeted computer’s random access memory (RAM). In other words, it doesn’t consist of any files. Memory-resident malware is essentially fileless malware. It’s written onto the targeted computer’s RAM, after which the memory-resident malware is able to perform its malicious activities.
How Memory-Resident Malware Works
Being that it doesn’t contain any files, you might be wondering how memory-resident malware works. Memory-resident malware is still malicious software. Software, of course, doesn’t have to consist of files. It can simply be malicious code that’s written onto your computer’s RAM, which is how memory-resident malware works.
During a memory-resident malware attack, the malicious code will be written onto your computer’s RAM. Infection often occurs through scripts or injections. If you visit a malicious website, for example, the site may automatically run a script that forces the malicious code onto your computer’s RAM. Regardless, there are no files with memory-resident malware. This alternative form of malware consists of malicious code that’s written onto your computer’s RAM.
Tips to Protect Against Memory-Resident Malware
You can protect against memory-resident malware in several ways. Since infections usually involve malicious websites, you should be conscious of which sites you visit and how you interact with them. Avoid visiting suspicious websites, especially those that are marked as “not secure” in your web browser. Instead, only visit secure websites from brands and organizations that you trust.
Certain types of antivirus software can also protect against memory-resident malware. Not all types of antivirus software exclusively search for malicious files; some of them will scan your computer’s RAM for signs of malware as well. They’ll scan both the storage drive of your computer and its RAM for signs of malware. If detected, the antivirus software will quarantine or delete it so that it doesn’t harm your computer.
A firewall can protect you from memory-resident malware as well. Most memory-resident malware attacks are conducted during a website visit. With a firewall, you’ll have a shield separating your computer from malicious websites. If a malicious website tries to force malicious code onto your computer’s RAM, the firewall may block it.
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