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Fileless malware
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<p>Fileless malware is a variant of computer related <a href="/facts/Malicious_software/5ee7TLFR">malicious software</a> that exists exclusively as a <a href="/facts/Computer_memory/hQKVQ51J">computer memory</a>-based artifact i.e. in <a href="/facts/Random-access_memory/DuD4bxh6">RAM</a>. It does not write any part of its activity to the computer's <a href="/facts/Hard_drive/kekLSGSE">hard drive</a>, thus increasing its ability to evade <a href="/facts/Antivirus_software/GGMqsfkJ">antivirus software</a> that incorporate file-based whitelisting, signature detection, hardware verification, pattern-analysis, time-stamping, etc., and leaving very little evidence that could be used by <a href="/facts/Digital_forensics/MPF5Vdpq">digital forensic</a> investigators to identify illegitimate activity. Malware of this type is designed to work in memory, so its existence on the system lasts only until the system is <a href="/facts/Booting/j6N1kRpc">rebooted</a>. </p>