Threat Intelligence and Malware Analysis Basics

Threat intelligence and malware analysis are two core skills for defending modern systems. They help teams understand who might attack them and how malicious software behaves. When used together, they turn scattered data into clear action.

What threat intelligence is

Threat intelligence collects information about attackers, campaigns, and methods. It includes trends, tools, and indicators that help you spot risky activity. Sources can be security reports, open feeds, vendor blogs, or collaboration with peers. The goal is to know where to look before a malware sample is found in your network.

What malware analysis covers

Malware analysis examines a program to learn its behavior. It has two sides:

  • Static analysis: examine the file without running it. Look at file headers, strings, packers, and known patterns.
  • Dynamic analysis: run the sample in a safe environment to observe actions like file changes, network calls, or new processes.

Key outputs are artifacts called indicators of compromise (IOCs): file hashes, domain names, IPs, and behavior notes that help identify similar threats later.

Bringing them together

Threat intelligence tells you what to expect, and malware analysis confirms it with real samples. If intel mentions a new Trojan using a specific C2 domain, analysts can check for that domain in recent samples and confirm the threat, updating defenses accordingly.

A simple starter workflow

  • Define questions: what threats matter to your environment?
  • Gather sources: feeds, reports, and peer insights.
  • Obtain a sample (from a sandbox or repository) in a controlled way.
  • Do basic static analysis to spot clues.
  • Run in a sandbox and record behavior.
  • Extract IOCs and map them to current assets.
  • Share findings in a simple, standard format and update detection rules.

Example at a glance

A phishing email leads to a loader. IOCs might include a suspicious domain, a unique file hash, and a brief C2 pattern over HTTP. Security teams use this to tune email filters, update IDS rules, and monitor endpoints for similar activity.

Practical tips

  • Start small: pick one campaign type and track its IOCs over time.
  • Use plain language: write IOCs as actionable items for operators.
  • Keep data fresh: update feeds and validate old indicators.

Final thought

By pairing threat intelligence with malware analysis, you gain context, speed, and confidence in your security decisions.

Key Takeaways

  • Threat intelligence guides where to look and what to expect.
  • Malware analysis reveals concrete behavior and artifacts from samples.
  • A simple, repeatable workflow improves detection and response.