Why Do People Create Viruses and Malware?
Why Do People Create Viruses and Malware?
Malware and viruses have the potential to be extremely harmful, harming computer users as well as the systems themselves. But first, why do people make these detrimental programs? Those who create viruses and malware are always looking for new ways to trick security researchers and infect machines.
Virus
A computer virus is a kind of malware that spreads by changing and introducing its own code into other computer programs when they are run. Typically, computer viruses need a host program. The virus infiltrates the host program with its code. A computer worm, on the other hand, is an autonomous program or code chunk that does not require a host program.
Virus writers use social engineering tricks and an in-depth understanding of security flaws to infect systems and propagate the virus. They also employ complicated anti-detection/stealth techniques to elude antivirus software. A virus can be created for a variety of reasons, such as financial gain, political commentary, entertainment, proving a software flaw, sabotage, denial of service, or just curiosity about artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and evolutionary algorithms.
As of 2013, annual economic damage from computer infections was in the billions of dollars. As a result, a market for antivirus software has emerged, offering users of different operating systems free or inexpensive virus protection.
Malware
Malware developers employ a range of real and virtual techniques to propagate malware that infects devices and networks. Malicious software can, for instance, be installed on a computer via a USB drive, common collaboration tools, or drive-by downloads, which silently and automatically install malicious software onto computers without the user's awareness or consent.
A command-and-control server is frequently used in sophisticated malware assaults, giving threat actors the ability to interact with infiltrated systems, steal confidential information, and even take remote control of the compromised device or server.
New elusion and complication tactics used by emerging malware strains aim to trick security administrators and antimalware software in addition to consumers. Certain evasion strategies rely on elementary strategies, including masking malicious traffic or originating IP addresses with web proxies.
Reasons why computer viruses are created?
1. An Outlet for Anger: Sometimes, the only reason a virus is released is to let out one's rage at the world. Some who possess the technological know-how to make viruses do it because they feel like they're taking a societal jab. This type of individual makes viruses just intending to cause harm because they feel that the entire world is against them. Regretfully, this typically indicates that the virus kind that was produced is likewise harmful and prone to corrupt files and programs. These viruses frequently leave their victims with dangerous computer infections that ruin data and necessitate expert data recovery.
2. Cyber-Vandalism: In addition to being irrationally destructive, cyber-vandals also unleash technological abominations upon society. However, it's only for fun, not out of resentment. These vandals, who are frequently narcissistic and attention-seeking, like reading articles in the media about the harm that their works have caused. Similar to how some irresponsible vandals enjoy smashing windows, cyber-vandals simply enjoy causing trouble for people's computers.
3. Experimentation: Some technically competent people grow fascinated by harmful computer code that replicates itself and enjoys playing around with it. These hackers think that releasing their experiments into the wild and watching how they function would be the most effective approach to testing them. Sadly, these tech geeks either don't think about it or don't give a damn about how their selfish efforts frustrate and harden anyone whose PC becomes infected. Even while their experiments aren't meant to be harmful, it doesn't bring much consolation to someone who needs to pay for computer repairs because of an infection.
4. Sabotage: Those who create viruses to undermine the success of others are far more dangerous than those who merely enjoy experimenting. Cybercriminals typically have a motivation for their actions. Occasionally, it's an assault on a specific segment of the population. In other instances, it might be for business purposes.
There will always be those who use dishonest tactics, including taking down rival websites or computer networks, in an attempt to outperform the commercial rivalry. Sometimes, it's only done as a kind of self-satisfaction. Malicious software attacks against third parties are terrible enough, but they frequently cause harm to innocent computer owners as well. Those who are regular individuals and not involved in any conflicts get computer viruses.
6. Political Activists: Another kind of hackers and crackers uses computer viruses to infect unsuspecting people with political intentions. Like the saboteurs, these so-called activists occasionally fight for causes that some would deem noble, but their works frequently impact others who remain on the periphery. They occasionally even intentionally infect public computers to draw attention to their cause.
7. Viruses for Extortion: Trojan horses are frequently designed to infiltrate the servers of for-profit websites. A system like this operates by infecting thousands of computers with software that gives its developer access to control the machines. After that, the controlling party uses these "zombie" machines to transfer data to a targeted server in an attempt to overload and crash it. The attacker then threatens the website owners, threatening to destroy their servers unless they pay a ransom.
8. Producers of Rogueware: Like extortion viruses, so-called rogueware infiltrates your computer by pretending to be an authentic virus elimination program. This program will notify you when viruses are discovered during its check of your computer. According to the product description, you can get rid of the viruses by buying the entire program. More deceptive than extortion, this type of virus depends on your credulity in paying with your credit card for the entire application.
Causes of Malware and Virus Creation
- The need for attention or recognition: Everyone wants to feel important, and for some people, getting attention for a mistake is the only way to feel significant. One technique to gain attention is to produce viruses and malware; they may do this to be identified as the creators or to project an image of themselves as someone who can inflict significant harm.
- The desire to harm: Some people create viruses to obtain private data, while others do it to steal data or harm computer systems. They may be attempting to gauge the extent of their harm or the number of individuals they can irritate. The need to establish a point: Some people make malware and viruses either to demonstrate how simple it is to make malware or to highlight how susceptible our computer systems are.
- The aim for financial gain: Criminals fabricate these threats in an effort to take advantage of weaknesses and steal money and sensitive personal data or take over equipment and systems. Obtaining the login information of victims. This can be accomplished by either utilizing a phishing attack to fool the victim into entering their login credentials into a phony website or by infecting the victim's computer with a keylogger that records everything the victim enters. Upon obtaining the victim's login credentials, the cybercriminal can gain access to their bank account, execute transactions under their name, or withdraw funds from the account.
- Political motivations: There are several reasons why someone may design malware or a virus with a political agenda. Sometimes, the intention is to disseminate a political message or interfere with the functioning of a government or other institution. In other situations, the objective can be to steal confidential data or inflict financial harm. The 1980s and early 1990s saw the first deployments of viruses and malware for political purposes. Viruses were frequently used then to propagate political messages or interfere with the functioning of governments and other institutions.
- Ideological motives: philosophical justifications. Some people make malware and viruses to propagate their political or religious views, or to express their disapproval of something. They can have the desire to wreak mayhem or disruption, or they might think that by acting in a certain way, their cause would be advanced. Malware and viruses can have detrimental effects in the real world, regardless of their intended application.
- Malware and viruses used as retaliation: They can desire to wreak havoc and mayhem, or they might be enraged at someone they believe has wronged them. People frequently make these program so harm other people.
- Fun and mischief: Here, people make malware and viruses just to stir up trouble or mayhem. They can take pleasure in viewing news broadcasts about the most recent cybercrime or seeing people's laptops fail.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are numerous rationales for individuals to produce malware and viruses. While some of the reasons are alright, some may be highly detrimental. Understanding the driving forces will help us better defend against the threats posed by malware and viruses.