When we talk about the malware wiper we refer to one of the most dangerous types of threats that we can find. It is because it puts our personal information, documents and any type of files that we have stored at risk. Its objective is none other than to erase the content that is in a memory or disk. Users can create backups to save their files on external drives, for example. However, if that memory is infected by this type of malware, we could lose all the content.
This malware (wiper) is like a destroyer that deletes everything in its path, in addition it is distributed by various sources of input that this malware has, as it happens with many others. Something very common is that we get infected through a malicious file that we have opened in the email. It may happen that, for example, we receive an e-mail where we are invited to access a link to download a program or a file that is supposedly legitimate and is going to give us something. However, in reality it is a scam, an attack that tries to get us to download malicious software to later carry out its attacks.
It can also happen that when browsing we access a malicious link. For example, if we are on a third-party site and we access a link to log in, download software or any generic action, but in reality we are entering a site that has been maliciously designed and is controlled by hackers.
Although we can strengthen our security with security software, the most important thing is always going to be common sense. We have seen that these types of threats, as well as almost any other, usually require user interaction like many others. For example, clicking on a link, installing malicious software, opening an email attachment, etc. Without a doubt, this threat is going to need some kind of action on the part of the victim. We must always keep common sense in mind.
See also:
Flame – A malware that alarmed everyone in its time
Malicious Scripts – A threat you should avoid
