What is a malware analysis and how is it performed?

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What is a malware analysis and how is it performed?

Malware analysis is the process of examining malicious software, also known as malware, to understand its behavior, functionality, and potential impact on a system or network. It involves dissecting the malware code, studying its characteristics, and identifying its purpose and potential vulnerabilities it exploits.

Malware analysis can be performed using various techniques, including static analysis and dynamic analysis.

Static analysis involves examining the malware without executing it. This can be done by analyzing the code, file structure, and metadata of the malware. It may involve using tools like disassemblers, decompilers, and debuggers to understand the logic and functionality of the malware.

Dynamic analysis, on the other hand, involves executing the malware in a controlled environment, such as a virtual machine or sandbox, to observe its behavior. This allows analysts to monitor the malware's actions, such as file modifications, network communications, and system interactions. Tools like debuggers, network analyzers, and behavior monitoring tools are commonly used in dynamic analysis.

Additionally, malware analysis may involve reverse engineering techniques to understand the inner workings of the malware, such as identifying encryption algorithms, command and control mechanisms, and evasion techniques.

The ultimate goal of malware analysis is to gain insights into the malware's capabilities, identify indicators of compromise, and develop effective countermeasures to mitigate its impact.