Skip to content

TechRepublic

  • Top Products
  • AI
  • Developer
  • Payroll
  • Security
  • Project Management
  • Accounting
  • CRM
  • Academy
Resources
  • TechRepublic Premium
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • Newsletters
  • Resource Library
  • Forums
  • Sponsored
Go Premium
Popular Topics
  • Top Products
  • AI
  • Developer
  • Payroll
  • Security
  • Project Management
  • Accounting
  • CRM
  • Academy
  • Project Management
  • Innovation
  • Cheat Sheets
  • Big Data
  • Tech Jobs
View All Topics
Go Premium
Security

Gallery: 10 of the most dangerous malware threats on the internet today

By Brandon Vigliarolo September 28, 2017, 11:16 AM PDT Brandon Vigliarolo on Twitter bviglia

Image
1
of 10

malware.jpg
malware.jpg
Gallery: 10 of the most dangerous malware threats on the internet today

​Not every malware threat makes the news

Image: iStock/RGBAlpha

​Not every malware threat makes the news

It isn’t often that an outbreak like WannaCry hits the tech world, and when it does there’s plenty of attention devoted to killing it.

High profile malware doesn’t typically last that long because of the amount of attention it receives, but for every malware flavor that dies due to overexposure, countless slip by undetected.

You’ve probably heard of some, if not all, of the malware on this list. Most of it has been around for a while, staying alive through various incarnations thanks to the efforts of hackers. After all, why reinvent the wheel when you can just make tweak code that already works?

Image: iStock/RGBAlpha
hummingbad.jpg
hummingbad.jpg
Gallery: 10 of the most dangerous malware threats on the internet today

1. Hummingbad

Image: TechRepublic/Brandon Vigliarolo

1. Hummingbad

Hummingbad is a form of Android malware that installs a rootkit followed by fake apps. It also generates fraudulent ad revenue to the tune of over $300,000 a month at its peak.

In 2016 Hummingbad managed to infect more than 10 million Android devices. While its infection rate has slowed since then it’s still an active attacker, often being found in fake apps on Google Play and third-party installers.

Image: TechRepublic/Brandon Vigliarolo
malvertisingistock90733919pichetw.jpg
malvertisingistock90733919pichetw.jpg
Gallery: 10 of the most dangerous malware threats on the internet today

​2. RoughTed

​2. RoughTed

RoughTed isn’t malware that gets installed on your system directly–it’s malvertising that operates from a variety of domains with the ultimate goal of getting you to click on a link that executes malicious code.

Malvertising targets everyone–mobile users, Windows, and macOS are all subject to damage from false ads. RoughTed domains have been seen installing exploit kits, malware, ransomware, and other dangerous code.

At its peak in early to mid 2017 RoughTed affected over 28% of organizations across the globe.

phishing.jpg
phishing.jpg
Gallery: 10 of the most dangerous malware threats on the internet today

​3. Globe Imposter

Image: iStockphoto/weerapatkiatdumrong

​3. Globe Imposter

Globe Imposter is a new ransomware on the scene and is making its way around as most other ransomware does: phishing. It mimics a ransomware called Globe, but all that matters is that the same things result from opening a contaminated email attachment: encrypted files and a demand for Bitcoins.

Globe Imposter made a pretty big splash in August 2017, so most anti-malware software protects against it now. It’s still a threat, though, so keep training users not to open suspicious-looking emails.

Image: iStockphoto/weerapatkiatdumrong
Microsoft strategy
Microsoft strategy
Gallery: 10 of the most dangerous malware threats on the internet today

​4. HackerDefender

​4. HackerDefender

This Trojan-style malware gets onto a Windows system and makes sure it’s hard to get it out. It installs backdoors, downloads and runs other malicious apps, and registers itself as a hidden system service so it’s nearly impossible to shut down.

HackerDefender has the potential to become an open door to any network–a terrifying proposition.

Hacker using adware fireball to control laptop computer
Hacker using adware fireball to control laptop computer
Gallery: 10 of the most dangerous malware threats on the internet today

​5. Triada

Image: Jack Wallen/TechRepublic

​5. Triada

If you’ve ever been concerned about Android malware that essentially integrates itself with a device, and all the apps on it, then you were concerned about Triada.

This particularly dangerous Trojan starts off simple: It gets onto a device via an infected app and starts sending data to its command and control server. Then the fun begins.

Triada infects a device’s Zygote Process, the part of Android that controls the launching, running, and stopping of apps. Once there Triada is essentially part of every app on the infected device.

It also opens the door for the installation of other malware, and it operates from a device’s RAM, making it really difficult to detect.

Image: Jack Wallen/TechRepublic
worm.jpg
worm.jpg
Gallery: 10 of the most dangerous malware threats on the internet today

​7. Conficker

Image: iStock/luplupme

​7. Conficker

Conficker is a self-replicating worm that can do real damage to infected networks. Conficker itself never delivered a deadly payload, but the worm can open ports, install applications, and gain access to an infected machine to widen its capabilities.

The worst part about Conficker is that Microsoft patched the vulnerability it used to spread (MS08-067) shortly before Conficker appeared in 2008. But in 2017 it’s still alive and kicking, as is MS08-067: Conficker continues to be a commonly exploited vulnerability nearly 10 years later.

Image: iStock/luplupme
Gallery: 10 of the most dangerous malware threats on the internet today

​8. Sality

Image: iStock/Rawpixel Ltd

​8. Sality

Sality is considered one of the harder forms of malware to fight because it does a lot of things in one package. It’s a keylogger, a worm, and a Trojan, and it can even communicate over P2P networks to send data back and forth.

Bottom line, Sality is dangerous and has been since it first appeared in 2003.

Image: iStock/Rawpixel Ltd
hijack.jpg
hijack.jpg
Gallery: 10 of the most dangerous malware threats on the internet today

​9. Fireball

Image: iStock/fleaz

​9. Fireball

Hailing from China, Fireball has infected some 250 million machines since mid-2017. It’s a browser hijacker that generates fake ad click revenue, but that’s just for starters: It can quickly morph into a full-powered malware threat.

Fireball’s controllers can send malware to infected machines and execute code, making it capable of turning into almost anything.

20% of corporate networks worldwide are believed to be infected by Fireball.

Image: iStock/fleaz
15-spam.jpg
15-spam.jpg
Gallery: 10 of the most dangerous malware threats on the internet today

10. Pushdo

Image: CNET

10. Pushdo

Pushdo: If you’ve received spam email there’s a good chance it came from a Pushdo-infected machine at some point.

Pushdo is a spam-generating botnet that peaked at being able to send 7.7 billion spam messages a day. Every time security researchers think they’ve killed it, it pops back up with new command and control servers and variants ready to bombard you with junk mail.

Image: CNET
  • Security
  • Account Information

    Share with Your Friends

    Gallery: 10 of the most dangerous malware threats on the internet today

    Your email has been sent

Share: Gallery: 10 of the most dangerous malware threats on the internet today
Image of Brandon Vigliarolo
By Brandon Vigliarolo
Brandon is a Staff Writer for TechRepublic. He's an award-winning feature and how-to writer who previously worked as an IT professional and served as an MP in the US Army.
  • Account Information

    Contact Brandon Vigliarolo

    Your message has been sent

  • |
  • See all of Brandon's content

Daily Tech Insider

If you can only read one tech story a day, this is it.

Cybersecurity Insider

Stay abreast of the latest cybersecurity news, solutions, and best practices

TechRepublic TechRepublic
  • TechRepublic on Facebook
  • TechRepublic on X
  • TechRepublic on LinkedIn
  • TechRepublic on YouTube
  • TechRepublic on Pinterest
  • TechRepublic RSS
Services
  • About Us
  • Newsletters
  • RSS Feeds
  • Site Map
  • Site Help & Feedback
  • FAQ
  • Advertise
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • Careers
Explore
  • Downloads
  • TechRepublic Forums
  • Meet the Team
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • TechRepublic Premium
  • Resource Library
  • Photos
  • Videos
  • Editorial Policy
  • Legal Terms
  • Privacy Policy
© 2025 TechnologyAdvice. All rights reserved.
CLOSE

Create a TechRepublic Account

Get the web's best business technology news, tutorials, reviews, trends, and analysis—in your inbox. Let's start with the basics.

Already registered? Sign In
Use Facebook
Use Linkedin

* - indicates required fields

CLOSE

Sign in to TechRepublic

Not a member? Create an account
Use Facebook
Use Linkedin

Lost your password? Request a new password

CLOSE

Reset Password

Please enter your email adress. You will receive an email message with instructions on how to reset your password.

Check your email for a password reset link. If you didn't receive an email don't forgot to check your spam folder, otherwise contact support.

Back to login
1 Finish Profile
2 Newsletter Preferences
CLOSE

Welcome. Tell us a little bit about you.

This will help us provide you with customized content.

No thanks, continue without
1 Finish Profile
2 Newsletter Preferences
CLOSE

Want to receive more TechRepublic news?

Newsletter Name
Subscribe
Daily Tech Insider
Daily Tech Insider AU
TechRepublic UK
TechRepublic News and Special Offers
TechRepublic News and Special Offers International
Executive Briefing
Innovation Insider
Project Management Insider
Microsoft Weekly
Cloud Insider
Data Insider
Developer Insider
TechRepublic Premium
Apple Weekly
Cybersecurity Insider
Google Weekly
Toggle All
No thanks, continue without

You're All Set

Thanks for signing up! Keep an eye out for a confirmation email from our team. To ensure any newsletters you subscribed to hit your inbox, make sure to add [email protected] to your contacts list.

Back to Home Page
×