Types Of Malware That Commonly Attack Systems In India

  Category:  MALWARE | 20th April 2025 | Author:  CSI'S TEAM

Types Of Malware That Commonly Attack Systems In India (2025 Guide)

In 2025, Cyber Threats Are More Aggressive Than Ever, Especially In Rapidly Digitizing Economies Like India. From Small Businesses To Government Organizations, Everyone Is At Risk. One Of The Biggest Cybersecurity Concerns In India Is malware—malicious Software Designed To Infiltrate, Damage, Or Disable Computers And Networks.

In This Blog, We’ll Explore The most Common Types Of Malware That Target Indian Users, Highlight Recent Trends, And Offer Protection Tips To Help Individuals And Businesses Stay Safe Online.

What Is Malware?

Malware (short For Malicious Software) Refers To Any Program Or File That Is Intentionally Harmful To A Computer, Network, Or Server. Cybercriminals Use Malware To Steal Sensitive Data, Gain Unauthorized Access, Disrupt Operations, Or Extort Money.

1. Ransomware Attacks In India

Keyword: Ransomware In India

Ransomware Is One Of The Most Devastating Types Of Malware In India Today. This Malware Encrypts The Victim’s Files And Demands A Ransom To Restore Access. Major Hospitals, Educational Institutions, And Small Businesses In India Have Been Hit By ransomware Attacks Like LockBit, Conti, And BlackCat.

Notable Incident:

In 2023, The AIIMS Delhi Ransomware Attack Caused A Massive Disruption In Patient Care And Exposed Sensitive Health Data.

Tip: Use Anti-ransomware Tools, Keep Backups Offline, And Never Click On Suspicious Links.

2. Trojans

Keyword: Trojan Malware India

Trojans Disguise Themselves As Legitimate Software But Act As A Backdoor For Attackers. Once Inside A System, A Trojan Can Steal Credentials, Install More Malware, Or Spy On Users.

Popular In Banking Fraud, Trojans Like Emotet And Dridex Have Targeted Indian Financial Institutions And Mobile Banking Apps.

3. Spyware And Keyloggers

Keyword: Spyware Attacks India

Spyware Silently Monitors A User’s Activity, Stealing Sensitive Data Like Passwords, Credit Card Numbers, And Even Personal Chats. Keyloggers, A Subtype Of Spyware, Record Keystrokes To Extract Login Credentials.

In India, spyware Is Frequently Used In corporate Espionage And targeted Attacks On Activists And Journalists.

4. Adware And Malvertising

Keyword: Adware In India

Adware Bombards Users With Unwanted Ads, Often Redirecting Them To Malicious Websites. Malvertising, Or Malicious Advertising, Uses Fake Ads To Spread Malware Through Legitimate Sites.

Adware Is Especially Common On free Android Apps Popular In The Indian Market.

5. Worms

Keyword: Computer Worms India

Worms Are Self-replicating Malware That Spread Across Networks Without User Intervention. In India, worms Have Caused Large-scale Disruptions In government And Corporate IT Infrastructure, Especially Those Lacking Updated Security Protocols.

6. Rootkits

Rootkits Allow Attackers To Gain Administrative-level Control Of A System While Hiding Their Presence. Rootkits Are Very Difficult To Detect And Are Often Used In Combination With Trojans Or Spyware.

They’re Often Found Targeting legacy Systems In Indian Enterprises, Which Are More Vulnerable Due To Outdated Software.

7. Fileless Malware

Keyword: Fileless Malware India

This New-age Malware Lives In The RAM And Uses Legitimate System Tools Like PowerShell To Execute Commands. It Leaves No Trace On The Hard Drive, Making It Hard To Detect.

Fileless Malware Has Been Used In targeted Attacks On Indian IT Companies And Government Agencies, Bypassing Traditional Antivirus Solutions.

Rising Malware Trends In India (2025)

• AI-powered Attacks Are On The Rise, Automating Phishing And Malware Distribution.

• Mobile Malware Is Exploding Due To India’s Growing Smartphone Usage.

• IoT-based Malware Is Targeting Smart Homes And Industrial IoT Systems.

How To Protect Yourself From Malware In India

1. Install Premium Antivirus Software (like Bitdefender, Kaspersky, Or Norton).

2. Enable Firewalls And network-level Protection.

3. Regularly Update Your OS And Apps To Patch Vulnerabilities.

4. Avoid Downloading Cracked Software Or Apps From Unofficial Sources.

5. Educate Employees And Family Members About Phishing And Malware Threats.

Final Thoughts

As India’s Digital Footprint Continues To Grow, So Do The Cyber Threats. Understanding The types Of Malware That Attack Indian Systems Is The First Step Toward Robust Cybersecurity. From Ransomware To Spyware, Each Type Brings Its Own Set Of Challenges—but With The Right Tools And Awareness, You Can Stay One Step Ahead Of The Attackers.

Remove Malware From Windows?

Remove Malware With Bitdefender Security

ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware

ZoneAlarm Extreme Security NextGen

ZoneAlarm Pro Antivirus + Firewall NextGen

Remove Malware With Malwarebytes

Bitdefender Patch Management

Bitdefender Full Disk Encryption

Reset The Internet Browser?

Remove Malicious Extension From Internet Browser?

Protect Data With VPN Software?

Remove Malware With Avira Anti-Virus Prime

Remove Malware With SpyHunter 5?

Data Recovery Software For Windows

Data Recovery Software For Mac

How To Remove Malware From Windows?

Removing Malware From A Windows Computer Involves A Combination Of Using Antivirus Or Anti-malware Tools, Performing System Scans, And Taking Manual Actions To Eliminate The Malicious Software. Here's A Step-by-step Guide:

1. Disconnect From The Internet:

• Disconnect Your Computer From The Internet To Prevent The Malware From Communicating With Its Servers And To Avoid Further Infection.

2. Boot Into Safe Mode:

• Boot Your Computer Into Safe Mode To Minimize The Chances Of The Malware Running During The Removal Process.
  • Restart Your Computer And Press The F8 Key Repeatedly Before The Windows Logo Appears. From The Advanced Boot Options Menu, Choose "Safe Mode" Or "Safe Mode With Networking" If You Need Internet Access.

3. Update Your Antivirus Software:

• Ensure Your Antivirus Software Is Up-to-date. If You Don't Have One Installed, Consider Using Reputable Antivirus Or Anti-malware Tools Like Windows Defender, Malwarebytes, Or Others.

4. Run A Full System Scan:

• Perform A Full System Scan Using Your Antivirus Or Anti-malware Software. Allow The Program To Quarantine Or Remove Any Detected Threats.

5. Use Anti-Malware Tools:

• Consider Running Additional Anti-malware Tools To Ensure Comprehensive Scanning And Removal. Tools Like Malwarebytes, Spybot Search & Destroy, Or AdwCleaner Can Be Effective.

6. Remove Suspicious Programs:

• Open The Control Panel And Go To "Programs" Or "Programs And Features."
• Uninstall Any Programs That You Don't Recognize Or That Seem Suspicious.

7. Clean Up Browser Extensions:

• Malware Can Sometimes Affect Browsers. Check Your Browsers For Unwanted Extensions And Remove Them.
  • For Chrome: Settings > More Tools > Extensions
  • For Firefox: Add-ons > Extensions
  • For Edge: Menu > Extensions

8. Check System Startup Programs:

• Review The Programs That Start Automatically With Windows.
  • Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc To Open Task Manager.
  • Go To The "Startup" Tab And Disable Any Suspicious Entries.

9. Clear Temporary Files:

• Use The Built-in Disk Cleanup Tool To Remove Temporary Files.
  • Press Win + R To Open The Run Dialog, Type cleanmgr, And Press Enter.

10. Reset Hosts File:

• Malware May Modify The Hosts File. Reset It To The Default.
  • Open Notepad As An Administrator (right-click And Select "Run As Administrator").
  • Open The Hosts File (usually Located At C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts) And Remove Any Suspicious Entries.

11. Change Passwords:

• Change Your Passwords For Sensitive Accounts, Especially If You Suspect They May Have Been Compromised.

12. Reconnect To The Internet:

• After Completing The Above Steps, Reconnect Your Computer To The Internet And Monitor For Any Signs Of Abnormal Behavior.

13. Update And Patch:

• Ensure That Your Operating System, Antivirus Software, And Other Important Programs Are Up-to-date With The Latest Security Patches.

14. Consider Professional Help:

• If You're Unsure About The Removal Process Or If The Malware Persists, Consider Seeking Professional Help.

Remember To Maintain Good Security Practices, Such As Keeping Your Operating System And Software Up-to-date, Using A Reputable Antivirus Program, And Being Cautious When Clicking On Links Or Downloading Files From The Internet. Regularly Backing Up Your Important Data Is Also Crucial To Mitigate The Impact Of Potential Infections.

Remove Malware From Malwarebytes

If You Have Malwarebytes Installed On Your Computer And It Has Detected Malware, Follow These Steps To Remove The Malware:

Using Malwarebytes:

1. Open Malwarebytes:

   • Double-click On The Malwarebytes Icon On Your Desktop Or Locate It In Your System Tray And Open The Application.

2. Update Malwarebytes:

   • Before Scanning, Ensure That Malwarebytes Has The Latest Malware Definitions. Click On "Update" Or "Check For Updates" Within The Malwarebytes Interface.

3. Run A Threat Scan:

   • Click On The "Scan" Tab In Malwarebytes.
   • Choose The "Threat Scan" Option.
   • Click "Start Scan."

4. Review Scan Results:

   • After The Scan Is Complete, Review The Results. Malwarebytes Will List Any Threats It Found.

5. Quarantine Or Remove Threats:

   • Click On "Quarantine" Or "Remove Selected" To Move The Identified Threats To Quarantine.

6. Reboot Your Computer:

   • Some Malware Removals May Require A System Reboot. Malwarebytes Will Prompt You If A Reboot Is Necessary.

7. Check For Persistence:

   • After Rebooting, Open Malwarebytes Again And Run Another Scan To Ensure That No Additional Threats Are Present.

8. Monitor For Issues:

   • Keep An Eye On Your Computer For Any Signs Of Persistent Issues Or Unusual Behavior.

Additional Steps (if Needed):

• Clear Browser Data:

  • If The Malware Affected Your Web Browser, Consider Clearing Your Browser's Cache, Cookies, And Other Data.

• Reset Browser Settings:

  • As Mentioned In A Previous Response, Resetting Your Browser Settings Can Help Eliminate Any Unwanted Changes Caused By Malware.

• Review Installed Programs:

  • Check Your List Of Installed Programs And Uninstall Any Unfamiliar Or Suspicious Software.

• Change Passwords:

  • If There's A Possibility That Sensitive Information Has Been Compromised, Consider Changing Your Passwords.

• Update Operating System:

  • Ensure That Your Operating System And Other Software Are Up-to-date With The Latest Security Patches.

Screenshots Of Malwarebytes Security Solution

If The Malware Persists Or If You Encounter Difficulties During The Removal Process, You May Want To Seek Assistance From The Malwarebytes Support Community Or Consider Running Additional Scans Using Other Reputable Antivirus Or Anti-malware Tools. Remember To Keep Your Security Software Updated And Practice Safe Computing Habits To Minimize The Risk Of Future Infections.

Malwarebytes Is A Leading Cybersecurity Solution Dedicated To Protecting Users From The Ever-evolving Landscape Of Digital Threats. With A Proven Track Record In Malware Detection And Removal, Malwarebytes Offers Cutting-edge Technology To Safeguard Computers And Devices Against Viruses, Ransomware, And Other Malicious Software.

Boasting A User-friendly Interface, Malwarebytes Provides A Seamless Experience For Both Novice And Advanced Users. Its Real-time Protection Capabilities, Coupled With Powerful Scanning Algorithms, Ensure That Users Are Shielded From The Latest Cybersecurity Threats. Malwarebytes Continually Updates Its Extensive Malware Database, Enabling Users To Stay Ahead Of Emerging Risks And Vulnerabilities.

Beyond malware Detection, Malwarebytes Offers Additional Features Such As Web Protection And Anti-exploit Technology, Fortifying Defenses Against Malicious Websites And Zero-day Exploits. The Software's Lightweight Footprint Ensures Minimal Impact On System Performance, Delivering Robust Security Without Compromising Speed.

Whether Used As A Standalone Solution Or In Conjunction With Other Cybersecurity Tools, Malwarebytes Remains A Trusted Ally In The Battle Against Cyber Threats. As A Proactive And Responsive Cybersecurity Partner, Malwarebytes Empowers Users To Navigate The Digital World With Confidence, Knowing That Their Data And Devices Are Safeguarded Against The Latest And Most Sophisticated Threats.