When to use it
You have Malware name and want to check it through safe, legal, source-based research.
Back to workflows
Malware workflow
Review a malware reference defensively.
A workflow for reading malware names, hashes, and reports without operational misuse.
Passive and safe research workflow
What you get
Defensive malware context note and IOC summary.
Safety boundary
This workflow is not for exploitation, probing, or unauthorized scanning. It reads public records, records dates and uncertainty, and avoids turning signals into final claims.
Simple order
Work through the steps in order.
Define the reference
Separate malware name, hash, report link, and IOC list.
Check: The source type is clear.
Read public reports
Extract behavior summaries from open analysis reports.
Check: No sample is downloaded or run.
Separate IOC and TTP
Keep domains, IPs, hashes, and behaviors in separate lists.
Check: IOC dates are visible.
Write defensive output
Summarize detection or monitoring steps with confidence.
Check: Misuse detail is not included.
Real tools to open
Report language
The malware reference is handled as defensive context only; no execution, evasion, or abuse steps are included.
Move to evidence notesSources
Start with these sources.
Access Now Digital Security Helpline
OPSEC and researcher safety
Use to protect the researcher, reduce exposure, and avoid unnecessary collection.
Open sourceAlienVault OTX
Threat intelligence
Use for IOC context, reputation checks, and defensive security notes.
Open sourceCISA Cybersecurity Best Practices
OPSEC and researcher safety
Use to protect the researcher, reduce exposure, and avoid unnecessary collection.
Open sourceEFF Surveillance Self-Defense
OPSEC and researcher safety
Use to protect the researcher, reduce exposure, and avoid unnecessary collection.
Open sourceFreedom of the Press Foundation Training
OPSEC and researcher safety
Use to protect the researcher, reduce exposure, and avoid unnecessary collection.
Open sourceMISP Project
Threat intelligence
Use for IOC context, reputation checks, and defensive security notes.
Open source