Have You Heard About Zero-Click Malware?

By Unbound Digital Team | May 18, 2023

Malware has become a significant threat to organizations worldwide. According to Statista, worldwide malware attacks reached 5.5 billion in 2022, a two percent rise over the previous year. Hackers are becoming more innovative despite various security measures, such as anti-malware. They continually develop new techniques and methods, one of which is zero-click malware.

There is a good chance you may have heard about zero-click malware and wondered what they are and how bad its attacks are. It is safe to say that zero-click malware attacks are on the scale of a worse level.

Unlike other forms of cyber-attacks that need to be triggered with the help of user intervention, zero-click malware attacks do not. The attack is executed invisibly. It doesn’t require prompting, downloading of software, or accidental clicking. It’s like they emerge out of nowhere and are often very challenging to detect.

With all these, understanding what zero-click malware is, how dangerous it is, and how to prevent it is essential.

What Is Zero-Click Malware?

Zero-click malware is a malicious program that infects a system or device without the user’s intervention. This is unlike regular malware, which needs user action, such as clicking a link or downloading a file, to be activated. Zero-click malware exploits vulnerabilities in the device’s software or network protocols to gain access and carry out malicious actions.

Zero-click malware runs or operates quietly in the background without the user’s knowledge. Zero-click malware is mainly delivered through various means, such as text messages, emails, social media platforms, or image files, injecting malicious code that compromises the system or device. Once installed, it can take control of the device, steal sensitive information, or launch attacks against other devices on the network.

For example, you might get an email or text message infected with zero-click malware. Even if you do not open the message or click on the link, the malware may take control and infect your device as long as the message has been sent.

The sophistication of zero-click malware keeps increasing, and it is becoming more challenging to detect and mitigate.

How Does Zero-Click Malware Works?

Zero-click malware typically depends on software vulnerability to compromise the system and gain access. This is done by cybercriminals compromising the system or device with the use of malicious codes injected into the device with the physical intervention or knowledge of the user.

Once the device or system is compromised and defenseless, the cybercriminals have full access to the content on the device and gain control over them. When the device or system’s owner realizes it is too late, tracing the attack will be near impossible.

Why Is Zero-Click Malware Dangerous?

Here are some reasons why zero-click malware is much more dangerous than a regular malware attack:

It does not require any human intervention.
It isn’t easy to detect or recognize.
It does not notify the user when installed.
Zero-click malware leaves no traces or signs of compromise behind it.

How to Prevent Zero-Click Malware

Here are some security measures to prevent zero-click malware:

Update Your Software Regularly

Software vulnerabilities allow hackers to access a person’s computer or device. Hackers regard these vulnerabilities as opportunities that will enable them to install malware on people’s systems.

As hackers develop new techniques to steal sensitive information and gain access to technology devices, having regular software updates is a layer of security and a preventative step that you can employ to stop them.

Regular system updates are the first step in protecting yourself from zero-click malware, as they help to keep computer systems, mobile devices, and tablets functioning efficiently. They may help reduce software vulnerabilities.

Invest in Anti-Malware Tools

Anti-malware software refers to programs that scan, identify, remove, and protect against viruses and other malware from your device. As a result, investing in anti-malware software is essential in reducing or preventing an incident caused by malicious attacks.

While malware typically damages files on the device’s storage, anti-malware can automatically deactivate the dangerous file before it executes in your system. It may also detect and block malware threats that are difficult to detect by standard antivirus software.

Use Multi-Factor Authentication

Multi-factor authentication is an essential step in building secure and robust information protection against zero-click malware. It provides an extra security layer that confirms a user’s identity and can withstand attacks on the system to which the users authenticate.

It combines two independent factors to verify a person’s identity and access to app and platform logins. There are three forms of MFA, and the authentication factors include information generated from people’s devices (e.g., mobile or laptop) as well as user biometrics, user email, one-time passwords (OTPs), and time-based one-time passwords (TOTPs).

Invest in Firewalls

A firewall is a network security software that protects your computer or network from incoming traffic or dangerous malware. It protects your company’s data and reduces the risks of breaches within your company.

A firewall’s primary purpose is to set a boundary between the internal computer network and outside sources, preventing viruses and hackers from infiltrating and inflicting harm.

Firewalls secure computers by monitoring all incoming traffic following predefined rules. With these policies in place, the firewall will filter network traffic and restrict access to unprotected or questionable sources.

Use strong VPNs

A virtual private network (VPN) is an internet security connection that protects devices when connected to a public network. While your connection is safe, your data remains private. Its goal is to encrypt data before transmission.

As most zero-click malware operates via the internet, a VPN will allow you to stay safe online. It also safeguards data while users interact with apps and websites online, enabling them to hide particular resources.

Secure Your Devices against Zero-click Malware

Unbound Digital can help your Johnson City, Tennessee business protect its devices and systems against zero-click malware and implement various security tools that balance convenience.

Posted in Cyber Security, Security Practices