Malware analysis is the process of studying and examining malicious software (malware) in order to understand how it works, what it does, and how it can be detected and removed. This is typically done by security professionals, researchers, and other experts who specialize in analyzing and identifying malware threats.
There are several different techniques and approaches that can be used in malware analysis, including:
Static analysis: This involves examining the code or structure of the malware without actually executing it. This can be done manually or using automated tools and can help identify the specific functions and capabilities of the malware.
Dynamic analysis: This involves running the malware in a controlled environment (such as a sandbox) in order to observe its behavior and effects. This can help identify how the malware interacts with other systems and processes, and what it is designed to do.
Reverse engineering: This involves disassembling the malware and examining its underlying code in order to understand how it works and what it does. This can be done manually or using specialized tools.
Examples of malware analysis include:
Identifying a new strain of ransomware and determining how it encrypts files and demands payment from victims.
Analyzing a malware sample to determine its origin, target, and intended purpose.
Examining a malicious email attachment in order to understand how it infects a computer and what it does once it is executed.
Reverse engineering a piece of malware to identify vulnerabilities or weaknesses that can be exploited to remove or mitigate its effects.
