What is polymorphic regarding malware?

Answer 1

To change and restructure in multiple ways, so as to show a different signature and thus avoid detection.

For instance, if you link-edit a large group of object modules, their order is not 100% critical as long as they're accessed at the proper entry point. So malware that changes the hash and the signature of the executable this way as part of its operation can be said to be polymorphic.

Answer 2

Polymorphism, in regard to malware, is the process of the malware program changing itself while it is executing. Polymorphism makes it harder for antivirus software that rely on signature-based detection schemes to detect the malware.

Answer 3

Polymorphic and metamorphic viruses are both self-replicating and "shape-shifting" malware. When they infect a computer, they replicate as normal. The only difference between the copies is that they are not the same. When a polymorphic/metamorphic virus replicates, they encrypt themselves and slightly change their code as to confuse antivirus software. The decryption key is built into the virus so that they can decrypt and deliver the payload to the infected computer. The difference between polymorphic and metamorphic viruses is the that metamorphic rewrites with each iteration so that each succeeding version of the virus is a little bit different from the preceeding one. Polymorphic viruses also make changes to its code to avoid detection, but one part remains the same as the iteration, which makes the virus a little bit easier to identify. So in conclusion, metamorphic viruses are more complex than polymorphic viruses because they can encrypt and adapt better.

Answer 4

polymorphic malware constantly changes, making it difficult to detect.