Table of Contents
1. Malware Basics
🚨 Current Threat Landscape
Over 450,000 new malware samples emerge daily. Modern attackers increasingly use fileless malware and living-off-the-land techniques.
Malware Categories
Ransomware
Encrypts files and demands a ransom
Spyware
Secretly collects information
Botnet
Remotely controlled zombie computers
Trojans
Disguised as legitimate software
Viruses & Worms
Self-replicating malicious programs
Rootkits
Hide within the system
2. Detection Methods
🔍 Signature-based Detection
✅ Advantages
- • High accuracy for known malware
- • Low false positive rate
- • Fast processing
- • Established technology
❌ Disadvantages
- • Zero-day attacks go undetected
- • Polymorphic malware problematic
- - Constant updates required
- • Reactive approach
🧠 Heuristic Analysis
Analyzes the behavior and structure of files to identify suspicious activities.
Heuristic Indicators:
- - Unusual API calls
- • Obfuscation techniques
- • Self-modifying code
- - Suspicious network activity
- • Registry manipulations
🤖 Machine Learning & AI
Static Analysis
File properties, PE header, Strings
Dynamic Analysis
Runtime behavior in sandbox
Behavioral Analytics
Anomaly detection in process behavior
3. Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR)
💡 EDR vs. Traditional Antivirus
EDR systems provide continuous monitoring and detailed forensic capabilities, while traditional antivirus solutions primarily focus on detection.
EDR Features
🔍 Detection Capabilities
- • File and Process Monitoring
- • Network Connection Tracking
- • Registry Changes Detection
- • Memory Analysis
- • Behavioral Anomaly Detection
🔧 Response Actions
- • Process Termination
- • Network Isolation
- • File Quarantine
- • Remote Shell Access
- • Automated Remediation
Leading EDR solutions
G-Data Endpoint Protection
German security solution with 99.9% detection rate
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Integrated into Windows environments
CrowdStrike Falcon
Cloud-native EDR platform
SentinelOne Singularity
AI-based endpoint security
VMware Carbon Black
Endpoint detection & forensics
4. Incident Response Process
⚠️ Speed is Crucial
The average dwell time of malware in the network is 287 days. Fast response significantly minimizes damage.
NIST Incident Response Framework
1. Preparation
- • IR Team Training
- • Playbook Development
- • Tool Setup
- • Communication Plan
2. Detection & Analysis
- • Alert Triage
- • Forensic Analysis
- • Impact Assessment
- • IOC Identification
3. Containment
- • System Isolation
- • Malware Quarantine
- • Network Segmentation
- • Evidence Preservation
4. Recovery
- • System Restoration
- • Vulnerability Patching
- • Monitoring Enhancement
- • Lessons Learned
Incident Response Toolkit
# Memory Forensics
volatility -f memory.dump --profile=Win10x64_19041 pslist
volatility -f memory.dump --profile=Win10x64_19041 netscan
# Disk Forensics
autopsy (GUI-based disk analysis)
sleuthkit (command line tools)
# Network Analysis
wireshark -r capture.pcap
tcpdump -r capture.pcap -nn
# Log Analysis
grep -i "malware" /var/log/syslog
journalctl -u service-name --since "2024-01-01"
# File Analysis
file suspicious_file.exe
strings suspicious_file.exe | grep -i "http"
hexdump -C suspicious_file.exe | head
# Hash Analysis
md5sum suspicious_file.exe
sha256sum suspicious_file.exe
# Check against VirusTotal API5. Proactive Threat Hunting
Threat Hunting is the proactive search for threats that automated systems may have overlooked.
Hunting Methodologies
🎯 Hypothesis-Based Hunting
📊 IOC-Based Hunting
# IP-based Hunting
grep "suspicious_ip" /var/log/nginx/access.log
netstat -an | grep "suspicious_ip"
# Domain-based Hunting
dig suspicious-domain.com
grep -r "suspicious-domain" /var/log/
# Hash-based Hunting
find / -type f -exec md5sum {} ; | grep "known_malware_hash"
# Registry-based Hunting (Windows)
reg query "HKLMSOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun"
Get-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:SOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun"🕒 Timeline Analysis
Create a timeline of suspicious activities to identify attack patterns.
6. Prevention Strategies
✅ Defense in Depth
Perimeter Security
- • Next-Gen Firewalls
- • Web Application Firewalls
- • Email Security Gateways
Endpoint Security
- • EDR/XDR solutions
- • Application Whitelisting
- • Privilege Management
Data Protection
- • Data Loss Prevention
- • Encryption at Rest/Transit
- • Access Controls
🎓 Security Awareness
Phishing Protection
- • Email Security Training
- • Simulated Phishing Tests
- • Reporting Mechanisms
Safe Computing
- • Software Download Guidelines
- • USB Security Policies
- • Social Engineering Awareness
Tavo-IT Malware Protection Services
As a certified G-Data Partner, we implement top-notch malware detection and response systems with German security standards.