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Evolution of Malware Threats and Techniques: a Review

Authors

  • Mohammad Nasser Alenezi Public Authority for Applied Education and Training
  • Haneen Khalid Alabdulrazzaq Public Authority for Applied Education and Training
  • Abdullah Abdulhai Alshaher Public Authority for Applied Education and Training
  • Mubarak Mohammad Alkharang Public Authority for Applied Education and Training

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17762/ijcnis.v12i3.4723

Abstract

The rapid development of technology, and its usage, in our everyday lives caused us to depend on many of the aspects it offers. The evolution of the Internet in recent decades has changed human life drastically as accessing knowledge, communication, and social interaction, became readily available. Nowadays, we have become dependent on our PCs and smart devices in accomplishing everyday tasks. People are using these devices to store valuable information. This information became the target of cybercriminals who are constantly creating new ways to gain unauthorized access to it. In the past few decades, cybercrime and the construction of malicious software (malware), have seen a significant rise. In this research, we present a literature review of the historical evolution of malware. We describe the common characteristics and propagation methods for the types of malware in each phase of its evolution. Furthermore, we illustrate the purpose of its creation and the damages it has caused. The purpose of this study is to provide researchers with background about malware and its evolution leading up to present day threats.

Author Biographies

Mohammad Nasser Alenezi, Public Authority for Applied Education and Training

Mohammed N. Alenezi is an Assistant Professor at the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training, College of Business Studies, Computer Science & Information Systems (CSIS) Department. He received his B. E. in Computer Engineering from the University of Kuwait in 2001. He worked as an analyst programmer and system administrator for the Kuwait Oil Company (K.O.C) for five years. He obtained his master's degree in information networks from the University of Essex, UK, in 2008 with Distinction. He received his Ph.D. in Network Security from the University of Essex, UK, in 2014. His main research interests are network security, network protocols, data science & analytics, web development, ethical hacking; and has published in these areas.

Haneen Khalid Alabdulrazzaq, Public Authority for Applied Education and Training

Haneen Alabdulrazzaq is an Assistant Professor in the Computer Science and Information Systems Department at the College of Business Studies a part of the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training. Alabdulrazzaq received a PhD. in Computer Science and Software Engineering from Auburn University, a Master of Science in Computer Science and Software Engineering from the George Washington University, and a Bachelor’s of Science in Computer Science from Kuwait University. Her research interests include secure software development, software process, software quality assurance and agile software development

Abdullah Abdulhai Alshaher, Public Authority for Applied Education and Training

Abdullah A. AlShaher has received his Bachelor degree in Computer Science from Huston Tillotson University Austin Texas, his Master degree in Computer Science from University of Denver, Denver Colorado, his Ph.D. in Computer Science form University of York UK. Currently he holds the position of the head of Computer Science and Information Systems department in the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training. His main research interests are Shape Recognition, Shape Analysis, Handwritten Character analysis, Optimization, Computer Vision, Pattern Recognition, and Signal Processing.

Mubarak Mohammad Alkharang, Public Authority for Applied Education and Training

Mubarak Alkharang is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Information Systems at the Public Authority of Applied Education and Training (PAAET - Kuwait). He obtained his BSc. Degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Leeds, UK. He received his MSc. Degree in Internet Systems Development from the University of Portsmouth, UK. He was awarded his PhD in Computer Science and Information Systems from Brunel University London, UK. Alkharang has a working and teaching experiences since 1999. His research interests include human-centred e-systems (e-learning in specific), software engineering, web development, and security.

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Published

2020-12-21

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How to Cite

Alenezi, M. N., Alabdulrazzaq, H. K., Alshaher, A. A., & Alkharang, M. M. (2020). Evolution of Malware Threats and Techniques: a Review. International Journal of Communication Networks and Information Security (IJCNIS), 12(3). https://doi.org/10.17762/ijcnis.v12i3.4723

Issue

Section

Surveys / Reviews