Certified: The Security+ Prepcast

Malware comes in many forms—ransomware, spyware, trojans, worms—and each leaves behind unique indicators that can help defenders detect infections early and respond effectively. In this episode, we break down these indicators of compromise (IOCs), including system slowdowns, strange processes, unauthorized file changes, blocked access to security tools, or outbound traffic to suspicious IP addresses. We also explore the subtle signs of keyloggers and rootkits, which aim to remain hidden while exfiltrating sensitive information. Detection relies on a combination of behavioral analysis, antivirus logs, SIEM alerting, and user reports—all of which must be correlated quickly to confirm and isolate infections. Understanding malware’s signature and behavior allows organizations to react in the early stages of infection before it spreads laterally or triggers full-scale damage. Malware doesn’t always announce itself with flashing warnings—more often, it whispers quietly through your logs and processes. Learning to hear that whisper is what turns monitoring into defense.