Focus on Wipers

Cyber attacks have been multiplying in recent days. Attacks by powerful Wipers viruses destroy all computer data. Clearly, the war in Ukraine has given new impetus to this type of attack. French companies are likely to be impacted by Wiper’s effects, whether through targeted attacks or rebound effects. To help you understand, let’s take a look at Wipers.

Wiper: what exactly is it?

Wiper” comes from the verb “to wipe”, meaning to sweep, scrape or wipe off. The Wiper will scrape everything in its path. It’s a fearsome virus that renders all the data through which it has ‘passed’ unusable: in other words, Wiper simply destroys all your data. These attacks are to be distinguished from ransomware, which theoretically restores access to your data after payment of a ransom.

Wiper has a direct impact on the operation of information systems. The consequences are therefore very critical, for example for an administration such as a hospital.

On the other hand, the Wiper threat appears both persistent and advanced. It may be a dormant virus, as it infiltrates the information system without leaving any trace. Its threat can also be seen as ‘advanced’ in that it is activated directly by human influence.

How does Wiper malware work?

Malware such as Wipers deletes all content in its path. It’s also important to note that input sources can vary from one program to another. Generally speaking, our devices are infected by a malicious or suspicious file that we have opened in an e-mail or other message. Most of the time, malware comes from the e-mails you receive. The content of the email often prompts you to download an important document or file. It’s actually a scam that will lead you to download malware. Sometimes the attack occurs during browsing, when you access a malicious link. You are directed to a third-party site and are given a link to log in, download software or perform other actions. Unfortunately, you land on a maliciously designed site controlled by hackers.

How do you defend yourself against Wipers?

Wipers are extremely destructive viruses, especially as they often wipe out any data recovery tools you may have at your disposal. As a result, sticking to classic defensive protection tactics isn’t going to cut it. What’s more, companies and organizations need to apply proactive security measures to minimize the risks associated with malware. Also, all important data should be stored and backed up off-site, and organizations should put in place and test an emergency response and recovery plan.

The response to such attacks also involves raising people’s awareness, which is one of the main weaknesses in IT security.

Finally, having an outsourced anti-spam solution like Altospam allows you to drastically limit this type of email attack, as dangerous messages are stopped upstream, before they reach mailboxes and the computer network.