Welcome to MALWARE-101 🚀

MALWARE-101 is a complete, step-by-step guide on malware development. From basic concepts to advanced techniques, we'll explore malware types, build them with languages like Python, Rust, C/C++, Go, and PowerShell, and understand how they impact systems. This series equips you with hands-on skills in building, analyzing, and understanding malware.

---

This is the Day 0 of our Malware Developement Series!!

📌 What is Malware?

Malware (short for malicious software) refers to any software intentionally designed to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to a computer system. It is used by cybercriminals to achieve various malicious goals.

• Goals of Malware:

  • Control Systems: Malware can take over a computer or network, allowing the attacker to manipulate it as desired.
  • Steal Data: Cybercriminals use malware to access sensitive information, such as personal details, passwords, and financial data.
  • Cause Damage: Some malware can delete files, corrupt data, or even render systems unusable.

• What You Need to Know:

  • Understanding malware requires knowledge of programming languages, operating system internals, and security mechanisms.
  • Malware can be created by anyone with coding skills, and it often takes advantage of weaknesses in software and systems.

---

⚙️ How Does Malware Work?

Malware operates by exploiting system vulnerabilities or using social engineering tactics to trick users. Here’s a simplified explanation of how malware functions:

1. Exploiting Weaknesses: Malware often finds and exploits weaknesses in software, hardware, or network configurations to gain access.
2. Social Engineering: This involves tricking users into executing the malware, often through deceptive emails or messages.
3. Scripts and APIs:
   • Scripts: Malware can execute commands through scripts, such as those written in PowerShell, which run automatically.
   • APIs (Application Programming Interfaces): Malware can use APIs to perform actions with the same permissions as legitimate software, allowing it to carry out tasks without raising alarms.
4. Persistence Techniques: Once installed, malware may modify files or processes to ensure it remains on the system even after a reboot.

---

🛠️ Types of Malware

Here are some key types of malware you will learn about in this series:

• Viruses 🦠: Self-replicating code that attaches itself to other programs. When the infected program runs, the virus spreads.

• Worms 🪱: Standalone malware that can replicate and spread independently across networks without needing to attach to other files.

• Trojans 🐴: Malicious software disguised as legitimate applications. Users may unknowingly download a Trojan, thinking it’s harmless.

• Ransomware 🔒: Encrypts a victim's files, making them inaccessible until a ransom is paid. This type of malware can be particularly devastating for individuals and businesses.

• Spyware 🕵️: Secretly monitors user activity and collects sensitive information, often without the user’s consent. It can track browsing habits and personal data.

• Rootkits 🛡️: A set of tools used to hide malicious activities on a computer. Rootkits can conceal files, processes, and system changes, making detection difficult.

• Adware 📢: Displays unwanted advertisements and may collect data on user behavior. While not always harmful, it can slow down devices and invade privacy.

• Backdoors 🔓: Bypass normal authentication processes, allowing attackers to gain access to systems without user knowledge.

---

📖 Series Outline

Here's what you can expect in MALWARE-101:

1. Setting Up Your Environment 🛠️

• Languages: Learn about Python, Rust, C/C++, Go, and PowerShell.
• Tools: Get familiar with virtual environments, debuggers, and monitoring tools to test your malware safely.

2. Basic Concepts 📂

• Understanding payloads, shells, and how to make malware persistent on a system.

3. Advanced Techniques 🔐

• Explore techniques like code obfuscation (hiding the true purpose of code), encryption (securing the code), and sandbox evasion (avoiding detection by security programs).

4. Cross-Platform Development 💻

• Learn how to create malware that works on different operating systems like Windows, macOS, and Linux.

5. Countermeasures and Detection ⚔️

• Understand how to avoid detection by anti-virus software and learn about stealth tactics used by malware developers.

---

🔥 Getting Started

1. Clone the repository:

   git clone https://github.com/kokatesaurabh/MALWARE-101.git
   cd MALWARE-101