What is Signature-Based Detection?

 
A short definition of Signature-Based Detection
Signature-based detection is a process that is commonly used to address software threats on
your computer. These threats may include malware, viruses, worms, Trojans, and many
others. 

In signature-based detection, appropriate signatures for each file are created and compared
with known signatures that have been stored and detected before. The process never stops
until a match is found. When this happens, the file is considered a threat and automatically
gets blocked.

The antivirus programs you installed on your computer may be using signature-based detection
to check for malware.

Read More about “Signature-Based Detection”

Let’s first explore some relevant terms to understand the concept behind signature-based
detection.

What Is a Signature?
A signature in cybersecurity is commonly known as a “pattern” associated with a malicious
component that can threaten an operating system (OS), a web server, and other computer
resources. This pattern can be a series of bytes inside a file or byte sequence in network traffic.
These patterns can be disguised (unrecognizable) in various forms, such as unauthorized
software execution or network and directory access and other malicious activities that aim to
bypass security solutions.
You can think of a signature as a person’s DNA. It’s unique to each person but every family
would have similar indicators in their DNA patterns.

What Security Systems Use Signature-Based Detection?

Antivirus products use signature-based detection to detect malicious software threats. It is also
known for being an integral part of security systems, such as Address Verification Services
(AVSs), Intrusion Detection Systems (IDSs), Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPSs), and firewall
systems.

These security solutions can quickly and efficiently detect malware with the help of signature-
based detection.

How Does Signature-Based Detection Work?

A malware family typically contains a pattern or signature typical across all malware from the
same variant. Most antivirus products use signature-based detection to help identify malware
and other threats with the same pattern.

To learn more about how signature-based detection works, here is a step-by-step process on
what happens in an antivirus scanner.

 A piece of malware is discovered.

 The malware pattern is added to the database.
 The antivirus scanner is updated to include the pattern.
 The antivirus program finds a piece of software containing the same pattern.
 The antivirus scanner then flags that piece of software as malware.

Signature-based detection is similar to using DNA to determine the identity of a crime suspect.
Forensic scientists process DNA from hair, saliva, and blood found in crime scenes. They will
then scan law enforcement databases for matches. If a match is found, the police will
investigate further and uncover everything they can about the person who can be considered a
suspect. 

What Is the Difference between Anomaly-Based and Signature-Based

Detection?
Signature-based and anomaly-based detection have the same purpose—to identify and alert
users of any software threats. While signature-based detection focuses on threats, anomaly-
based detection considers network behavior changes.

Signature-based detection relies on preprogrammed patterns that make detecting malicious

domains or byte sequences usually found in packet headers easier. On the other hand,
anomaly-based detection observes network behaviors for abnormalities. When anomalies are
detected, an alert is issued.

What Is the Difference between Behavior-Based and Signature-Based

Detection?
With technology development happening daily, hackers also do their best to find ways to beat
systems. Although signature-based detection is known for its reliability in tracking known
threats, there are times when new malicious codes appear that security systems don’t easily
recognize.

That is where behavior-based detection comes in. This method involves a thorough
examination of network behaviors. Like anomaly-based detection, systems that use behavior-
based detection check for any abnormal network behaviors.

What Is the Difference between Heuristic and Signature-Based

Detection?
In signature-based detection, security systems write signatures for patterns found in files
containing malicious software so anti-malware programs can detect them easily. In contrast,
heuristic-based scanning uses rules or algorithms to search for commands that may indicate
malicious activity.

Unlike signature-based detection, some heuristic-based scanning methods can easily detect
malware without a signature. Most antivirus and security solutions use signature-based and
heuristic-based detection methods to catch malicious software.

Signature-based detection has benefited the anti-malware industry and helped users block
malware. With the increasing number of threats that networks deal with daily, it employs tried-
and-tested malware detection processes like signature-based detection.

However, since threats constantly evolve and become more sophisticated, signature-based
detection may no longer be enough. For this reason, security systems mostly use a
combination of signature-based, behavior-based, and heuristic-based detection methods.

What is Malware?
Short for “malicious software,” malware is a type of computer program that helps cyber attackers carry out malicious
(intended to do harm) activities using your computer.

A careless download or visit to a malicious site can cause a piece of malware to be installed on your system. And it
won’t take long before it starts stealing your files, deleting important data, or spying on you.

There are many types of malware, each one specializing in a specific kind of mischief.
What is Spyware?
A short definition of Spyware
Rock stars have legions (a very large group) of adoring fans, some of which have less-than-loving motives for
following their idol’s every move and gathering all kinds of information about him or her.  They’re called stalkers.
And they’re the perfect metaphor for spyware.

It is a type of computer program that secretly monitors a victim’s online activities and gathers sensitive data that it
then sends to an attacker. It collects usernames, passwords, credit card, and bank account numbers, personal
identification numbers (PINs), and email contacts.

How? A spyware pokes its nose into your browsing habits. As such, it knows which sites you frequent, what time
you’re usually online, who you often communicate with, and anything else that an attacker can use to his advantage.

Read More about “Malware”

7 Most Commonly Seen Types of Malware

Knowing the different malware types can guide you in warding them off. We listed some of the most commonly seen
malware kinds below.
Viruses

While the term “computer virus” used to refer to malware of all kinds, that is no longer the case. Today, viruses
comprise just one malware type, which multiply or copy themselves to spread from one computer to a connected
device. To do that, they modify programs on an infected system. Once the infected program runs, the virus does what
it’s designed to do.

Worms

Worms are probably the oldest malware. In fact, the first “virus” or what we know now as “malware” is the Creeper
worm. Like viruses, a worm spreads from one computer to a connected device without human intervention. Unlike a
virus, though, a worm spreads even if a user doesn’t open any program on his or her computer.

Trojans

Today, Trojans have taken the place of worms as the most commonly used malware type. Trojans are hard to detect
because they typically mimic legitimate programs, hence the name. But unlike worms, Trojans require an action on
the part of a computer user to run. As such, hackers typically send them as email attachments that users download and
install or as embedded links that take victims to malicious pages.

Ransomware

Ransomware are specifically designed to encrypt certain types of files on a user’s computer. They usually come with
a ransom note asking victims to pay up or lose their files forever. 

Adware

While adware are not all malicious, they can certainly be annoying. Adware expose their victims to unwanted
advertisements. To do that, adware redirect users’ browsers to pages that ask them to answer surveys to win prizes,
for example. Little do victims know that these pages are fronts for phishing attacks.

Malvertisements

Malvertisements work like adware. But unlike the latter, malvertisements hijack legitimate ads or ad networks to
deliver malware to victims’ systems. Hackers embed malicious code into an ad. When clicked, users will be
redirected to malicious websites or install malware on their computers.

Spyware

Spyware are most commonly used to gain information about an individual or organization. They typically figure in
phishing attacks. Typical spyware payloads include keylogging or recording every keystroke users make on infected
systems. Other means to obtain confidential data include stealing browser cookies, which puts users who save
passwords on their browsers at significant risk.

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Today’s malware no longer sport the payload of a single type. Most combine the features of various malware types to
take over victims’ computers successfully. The good news is that a lot of them can be detected by antimalware.

Regular patches to prevent vulnerability exploitation, another commonly used means to get malware onto target
computers, also work. An example would be Wannacry. While it is considered a ransomware variant, it was
distributed via the Eternal Blue exploit, which affects vulnerable Windows systems.