20 Malware Interview Questions and Answers

Malware is a type of software that is designed to damage or disable computers and computer systems. As the use of computers and the internet continues to grow, so does the threat of malware. As a result, employers are increasingly interested in hiring candidates who have experience and knowledge in this area.

If you are interviewing for a position that involves malware, you can expect to be asked questions about your experience and knowledge. In this article, we will review some of the most common malware questions and how you should answer them.

Malware Interview Questions and Answers

Here are 20 commonly asked Malware interview questions and answers to prepare you for your interview:

1. What is malware?

Malware is a type of software that is designed to damage or disable computers and computer systems. Malware can be used to steal personal information, destroy data, or take control of a computer.

2. Can you explain the difference between a virus and malware?

A virus is a type of malware that is able to replicate itself and spread to other computers. A malware, on the other hand, is a general term used to describe any type of malicious software, including viruses, worms, Trojans, and more.

3. How does malware differ from spyware?

Malware is a type of software that is designed to damage or disable computers and computer systems. Spyware, on the other hand, is a type of software that is designed to collect information about a person or organization without their knowledge or consent.

4. What are some common examples of malware?

Some common examples of malware include viruses, worms, Trojan horses, and spyware. Malware can be spread in a variety of ways, including through email attachments, downloads, and infected websites. Malware can cause a variety of problems for users, including slowing down their computers, stealing personal information, and displaying unwanted ads.

5. What is ransomware?

Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts a user’s files and then demands a ransom be paid in order to decrypt the files. Ransomware is a serious threat because it can render a user’s data completely inaccessible, and it is often very difficult to decrypt the files without paying the ransom.

6. What’s your understanding of polymorphic malware?

Polymorphic malware is a type of malware that can change its appearance or structure in order to avoid detection. This makes it difficult to detect and remove, as traditional security measures may not be effective.

7. What do you understand about botnets?

A botnet is a network of computers that have been infected with malware and can be controlled by a remote attacker. These computers, or “bots,” can be used to carry out various malicious activities, such as launching denial-of-service attacks, stealing data, or sending spam. Botnets can be very large, with some estimates suggesting that there are millions of computers infected with botnet malware.

8. What can be done to protect our systems from malware attacks?

There are a few things that can be done in order to protect our systems from malware attacks. One is to keep our systems and software up-to-date with the latest security patches. Another is to use antivirus and anti-malware software, and to keep it up-to-date as well. Finally, we can be careful about the websites we visit and the email attachments we open, as these are often how malware finds its way onto our systems.

9. Can you name some anti-malware tools that are commonly used by companies today?

Some popular anti-malware tools used by companies today include McAfee, Norton, and Trend Micro.

10. Should we use an antivirus or an antimalware tool for protection against known threats?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best approach will vary depending on the specific threats you are facing and the resources you have available. However, in general, antivirus software is designed to protect against known threats, while antimalware software is designed to protect against both known and unknown threats. If you are facing a known threat, then using an antivirus tool may be sufficient. However, if you are facing an unknown threat or a more sophisticated known threat, then using an antimalware tool may be a better option.

11. What are the major differences between open source and closed source software solutions when it comes to security?

One of the key differences between open source and closed source software is that open source code is publicly available for anyone to review, while closed source code is only accessible to the company or individual who created it. This means that open source software is generally more secure, because anyone can find and report security vulnerabilities. Closed source software, on the other hand, is more vulnerable to attack because only the company or individual who created it can find and fix security vulnerabilities.

12. What are the main goals of cyber attackers?

The main goals of cyber attackers are to gain access to sensitive information, to disrupt normal operations, or to cause damage to systems or data. In order to achieve these goals, attackers will often use malware to infect systems and gain control over them.

13. What is social engineering?

Social engineering is a type of malware that tricks users into giving up sensitive information, such as passwords or credit card numbers. It can take many forms, such as phishing emails or fake websites that look like legitimate businesses.

14. What’s your opinion on using two-factor authentication as a means of protecting ourselves from phishing attacks?

I believe that two-factor authentication is a great way to protect ourselves from phishing attacks. By requiring an additional step of verification, it makes it much harder for attackers to gain access to our accounts.

15. Is it possible to infect a computer with malware just by visiting a website? If yes, then how?

Yes, it is possible to infect a computer with malware just by visiting a website. This can happen if the website has been compromised and is hosting malicious code, or if the website is legitimate but is displaying ads that contain malicious code. When you visit the website, your computer will download and execute the code, which can then infect your system with malware.

16. How would you detect if your system has been infected with malware?

There are a few ways to detect if your system has been infected with malware. One way is to check for unusual activity, such as programs that are running that you don’t recognize, or files that have been created or modified that you don’t recognize. Another way is to use a malware scanner, which will scan your system for known malware signatures.

17. Do hackers need physical access to my computer in order to infect it with malware? If not, then what other options are available to them?

No, hackers do not need physical access to your computer in order to infect it with malware. There are a number of ways that they can do this, including through email attachments, infected websites, and malicious software downloads.

18. Is it possible to prevent every type of attack?

No, it is not possible to prevent every type of attack. However, it is possible to take measures to protect against the most common types of attacks. For example, you can install anti-virus software and keep it up-to-date, you can use a firewall, and you can be careful about the websites you visit and the email attachments you open.

19. Why should I care about security when making websites?

Websites are increasingly becoming targets for malware and other security threats. By ensuring that your website is secure, you can help protect your visitors and their data from these threats.

20. How safe is my data when stored online with cloud services like AWS or Azure?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the safety of your data depends on the security measures implemented by the cloud service provider. However, in general, cloud services are considered to be quite secure, as they typically have strong security measures in place to protect data.