A polymorphic virus is a complicated computer virus that can adapt to different defenses. To prevent detection, it can constantly alter and changed versions of itself while retaining the same fundamental program after each infection. The polymorphic virus encrypts its code and uses a different encryption key with each infection to modify the physical file composition.
The decryption procedure of a polymorphic virus is altered by the mutation engine when it invades a machine. Because traditional security methods do not use static, unmodified code, they may be difficult to detect. The usage of large mutation engines generates billions of decryption procedures, rendering many detections approaches ineffective.
This form of "shape-shifting" Polymorphic Virus will develop malicious code, and this malicious code will continue to copy itself and modify its properties in order to escape and overcome the computer's defenses, ultimately causing system damage.
This feature prevents signature-based detection software from classifying the file as dangerous. A polymorphic Virus can continue to alter the signature and attack undetected even after a fresh signature is found and added to the antivirus solution's signature database.
Symptoms that your computer is infected with Polymorphic Virus
You must pay close attention to what the computer displays since polymorphic viruses can manifest themselves in almost any type of virus. If you see any of the following symptoms on your computer, it could be infected with the polymorphic virus.
- The system abruptly slowed.
- The computer made an unusual request: it asked for a password or sensitive information.
- A web browser unexpectedly redirects you to a website you don't require, or a pop-up ad appears on a website that doesn't generally utilize these types of ads.
- The computer may not allow you to access the necessary files and documents.
Every day, hundreds of Polymorphic Virus is released, so if you notice anything unusual, please use anti-virus software to perform extra tests.
How to Get Rid of the Polymorphic Virus?
- To open the Run box, press the Win + R keys together.
- To open System Restore, type strut in the box and hit Enter.
- Click Next, then select a restore point from the list before clicking Next again.
- After you've confirmed your restore point, click Finish. Select Yes. Then hold off until it's done.
- Restart and check if the issue is fixed or not.
Prevent the Polymorphic Virus
Keep Your Software Updated
It is crucial to maintain your software up to date EDR. Hackers, on the other hand, will continue to update and improve the Polymorphic Virus codes meant to remove faults and vulnerabilities in operating systems and software; organizations that own these systems are dedicated to resolving any defects and vulnerabilities that may occur. Enterprise software vendors such as Microsoft, Oracle, and Adobe distribute software updates on a regular basis that include essential security patches for known vulnerabilities.
Do not Click Suspicious Links/Attachments.
Malicious links or attachments could be included in phishing emails or other unsolicited electronic communications to propagate malware. If you get any strange emails, dump them in the recycle bin.
Defense Update
Another strategy to avoid the polymorphic virus is to use the appropriate security solution software. A high-quality antivirus solution provides advantages above the basic version, most notably the capacity to use of scanning technologies, tools, and algorithms to detect and respond to a broader range of threats. It also stops several possible vulnerabilities, such as email attachments and Internet downloads, from gaining access to the system. Time is of the utmost when it comes to malware, and powerful antivirus software can scan the system faster, allowing you to immediately delete or quarantine threats and repair or restore damaged files.
Heuristic Scanning
Heuristic scanning can help you avoid polymorphic viruses, but only if the polymorphic viruses are composed of old malware code because heuristic scanning is looking for possible key components that threats may share, increasing the likelihood of discovering and preventing new variants of the virus. Malware that has never been seen before, on the other hand, will not be regarded as harmful.
Behavior-based Detection
Rather than trying to analyze Polymorphic Virus encoding, it is preferable to use technologies that can identify and deal with threats based on their behavior. It is worthwhile to invest in antivirus software that includes endpoint detection and response or advanced threat detection.
Back up Your Data
Since prevention is important, you should back up your crucial files on a regular basis. Even if your machine is infected with the polymorphic virus, the data you already backed up will be protected.
Polymorphic Virus Final Words
To sum up, this post defined polymorphic viruses, described how they spread, and provided some examples. Furthermore, there are several ways to keep polymorphic viruses from infecting your computer.
Xcitium enables administrators to manage, monitor, and safeguard devices, as well as remotely apply configuration profiles and run antivirus to avoid future polymorphic virus infections. Visit for more.
FAQ section
A polymorphic virus is a name given to malware that tends to mutate its appearances repeatedly. In other words, it gets new decryption routines programmatically by changing its signature files.
Simply with signature detection technique in most common antivirus, it's almost impossible to find polymorphic viruses. More advanced antivirus software which has heuristic analysis can detect such threats effectively.
The polymorphic virus usually hit Personal computers and affects files and data by damaging their memory devices. It's extremely dangerous for the privacy and safety of files and data.
The first polymorphic virus was developed by Mark Washburn in 1990. Although a more refined version was created by a hacker named Dark Avenger. This virus was able to bypass the pattern recognition of antivirus that existed in 1992.