What Is a Fileless Malware Attack?

Written by:

Steve Goodbread
Managed Services Administrator
NET Xperts LLC


Fileless malware attacks, also known as non-malware attacks, use existing vulnerabilities to infect a system. It is a type of malicious software that does not rely on virus-laden files to infect a host. Instead, it exploits applications that are commonly used for a legitimate and justified activity to execute malicious code in resident memory. Essentially it takes advantage of vulnerable software that is already installed on your computer to infiltrate and infect. 

Fileless malware exists only in a computer’s random-access memory (RAM) meaning that nothing is ever written directly to the hard drive. This makes it more difficult to detect as there are no stored files for Anti-Virus software to scan. It also leaves little forensic evidence for security teams to investigate after identifying a breach.

Although these attacks are not new, they are becoming more common. That is why it is so important to keep your software up to date with the latest patches and updates that become available. Keeping up with these updates can be overwhelming, but NET Xperts can take that worry off your shoulders and handle it all for you with NET X Alert! Managed Services. Give us a call today at 412-244-NETX (6389)!

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