// RESEARCH ARTICLE
Introduction to Static Malware Analysis
Category: Malware Analysis
Level: Beginner
Introduction
Static malware analysis is the process of examining a suspicious file without executing it. Analysts use this approach to gather information about a file, understand its structure and identify potentially malicious characteristics.
What Can Analysts Examine?
Static analysis can reveal useful information about a suspicious file, including:
- File type and file size
- Cryptographic hashes
- Imported libraries and functions
- Embedded strings
- File metadata
- Executable structure
Common Tools
Malware analysts use different tools to inspect suspicious files. Some commonly used tools include:
- Detect It Easy (DIE)
- PE-bear
- Strings
- FLOSS
- Ghidra
Why Is Static Analysis Important?
Static analysis helps analysts understand suspicious files before deciding whether deeper investigation is necessary. It is often an initial step in a broader malware analysis process.
Conclusion
Static malware analysis provides a foundation for understanding how suspicious files are structured and what capabilities they may have. It is an important skill for anyone learning malware research and reverse engineering.