The Dangers of Cloud Malware & How to Avoid Them
Posted on Friday, August 2, 2024 and filed under Articles
Although cloud storage is more secure than on-premise solutions, it has risks. The biggest challenge related to cloud malware is how easy the scale of the cloud makes it to hide. This is a huge risk since 40% of surveyed IT professionals claim that most cyber threats go undetected.
| “The risk of cloud malware in no way negates the cloud’s security benefits. It only means that you may need to adjust, or implement new, security practices when you migrate.” – Jim Stackhouse, Founder & Chief Technologist, NeoLore Networks |
Don’t let that scare you away from leaving your data stored in the cloud. Instead, view it as a signal to ensure you implement tailored security measures made for preventing cloud malware.
If you are unsure where to start, this article is here to help. We’ll explain cloud malware and the existing risks and name some cloud security best practices.
What Is Cloud-Based Malware?
Cloud-based malware is malicious software hosted in cloud environments instead of directly on a user’s computer. It targets cloud systems to access, manipulate or steal data stored online. This type of malware exploits the scale and anonymity of cloud platforms, as both features make detection and prevention more challenging.
7 Types of Malware Attacks in Cloud Computing
1. Ransomware
Ransomware attacks deploy malware that encrypts the victim’s data, rendering it inaccessible until a ransom payment resolves the issue. In cloud computing, these attacks can spread across shared resources and affect multiple clients on the same public cloud infrastructure.
2. Rootkit Infections
Rootkits are malicious programs that gain administrative access to the target system. From there, the attacker can modify cloud resources as desired. What’s worse, stopping this unauthorized control is complicated due to its intentional elusiveness.
For instance, research has shown that the detection of rootkits in virtual machines is influenced by the VM’s memory size. If you double a VM’s memory size, the detection time will increase by around 71%.
3. DDoS Malware
DDoS malware initiates distributed denial-of-service attacks (DoS) attacks that overwhelm cloud services with excessive traffic. This malware often infects multiple cloud-based systems to amplify the attack. The goal is to disrupt service availability and degrade performance across the network.
Cyber Attacks Happen Every 39 SecondsDon’t become the next target. |
4. Fileless Malware
Fileless malware exploits existing software, allowed applications and authorized protocols to execute malicious activities. This type of attack is particularly stealthy and difficult to detect, making it a significant threat in cloud environments.
5. Cryptojacking
Cryptojacking malware hijacks cloud computing resources to mine cryptocurrency without the user’s consent. This type of attack drains cloud systems’ processing power and energy resources, causing degraded performance.
6. Botnets
Botnets are networks of infected computers controlled by a single attacker. In cloud environments, botnets can launch large-scale attacks, including spam campaigns, DDoS attacks, and data theft.
7. Remote Access Trojans (RATs)
RATs are malware that allows attackers to take control of infected devices remotely. RATs can enable attackers to manipulate cloud resources, steal data, and launch further attacks from within the compromised cloud infrastructure.
| Read More About How You Can Prevent Data Loss: |
How to Avoid Malware in Cloud Servers
1. Implement Strong Access Controls
Control access to cloud servers using multi-factor authentication and strong, unique passwords. Restrict permissions based on the principle of least privilege to minimize potential attack surfaces.
While this is a general best practice, it’s especially important in the cloud. 83% of organizations who experienced a cloud data breach saw one related to compromised access.
2. Conduct Continuous Monitoring & Logging
Monitor cloud environments continuously for unusual activity and maintain detailed logs. Use automated security tools or 24/7 network services to promptly detect and respond to suspicious behaviour.
3. Encrypt Sensitive Data
Encrypt data in transit and at rest to protect it from unauthorized access. Use strong encryption standards and manage encryption keys securely. Here are a few examples of cloud encryption methods you can use.
| AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) | A symmetric encryption algorithm that uses fixed block size and key lengths of 128, 192, or 256 bits. |
| RSA (Rivest-Shamir-Adleman) | An asymmetric encryption algorithm that uses a pair of public and private keys for secure data transmission. |
| SSL/TLS (Secure Sockets Layer/Transport Layer Security) | Protocols that use encryption to secure data transmitted over a network. |
| Blowfish | A symmetric key block cipher that uses variable-length keys (32 to 448 bits) |
| SHA (Secure Hash Algorithm) | A family of cryptographic hash functions is used for data integrity verification. |
| ECC (Elliptic Curve Cryptography) | An asymmetric encryption technique that uses elliptic curves for encryption keys. Best used with smaller key sizes. |
4. Implement Network Segmentation
Segment the network to isolate critical systems and data from less secure parts of the network. This containment strategy limits the spread of malware in case of an infection.
5. Control Third-Party Access
Ensure that third-party vendors comply with your security standards. Use strong access controls and regularly review third-party access rights to mitigate risks from external parties.
6. Regularly Update Software
Keep all software, applications, and systems updated with the latest security patches. This reduces the risk of exploitation through known vulnerabilities.
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Reduce Your Risk of Cloud Malware Infections With Expert Help
There’s a lot that you can do on your own to prevent malware in your cloud. However, risks always change, and you must ensure that your cloud provider does their part.
NeoLore Networks runs a 100% Canadian cloud infrastructure on which you can securely store your data. We’re also cybersecurity pros who know how to keep malware infections away from our servers!
Reach out today to see how we can help you.