Featured resource
pluralsight tech forecast
2025 Tech Forecast

Which technologies will dominate in 2025? And what skills do you need to keep up?

Check it out
Hamburger Icon
  • Labs icon Lab
  • Security
Google Cloud Platform icon
Labs

Creating Evasive Malware

In this lab you will learn about the basics of malware development for windows, and be able to evade simple detections. This will enable you to provide realistic simulations to organizations during red team events, allowing them to truly test their detection and response capabilities against real world threats.

Google Cloud Platform icon
Labs

Path Info

Level
Clock icon Beginner
Duration
Clock icon 1h 20m
Published
Clock icon Feb 05, 2025

Contact sales

By filling out this form and clicking submit, you acknowledge our privacy policy.

Table of Contents

  1. Challenge

    Getting Started in the Lab Environment

    Here are the initial instructions and explanation of the lab environment. Read this while your environment is busy creating itself from nothing. Yes, this violates physics; we know. How fun!

  2. Challenge

    Setting Up Development Environment

    In C++, create some sample malware for Windows that will create a network connection back to a server.

  3. Challenge

    Adding Malware Capabilities

    Build upon the reverse shell malware by adding functions which accomplish common malware tasks.

  4. Challenge

    Evading Windows Defender

    You will now test the updated malware against Windows Defender, refine based on detection results, and document changes that improve evasion.

  5. Challenge

    The Last Challenge

    Welcome to the final challenge! This is your last chance to experiment in the environment. Clicking Finish Lab will end this little world that flittered into existence just for you.

Aaron M. Rosenmund is a cyber security operations subject matter expert, with a background in federal and business defensive and offensive cyber operations and system automation.

What's a lab?

Hands-on Labs are real environments created by industry experts to help you learn. These environments help you gain knowledge and experience, practice without compromising your system, test without risk, destroy without fear, and let you learn from your mistakes. Hands-on Labs: practice your skills before delivering in the real world.

Provided environment for hands-on practice

We will provide the credentials and environment necessary for you to practice right within your browser.

Guided walkthrough

Follow along with the author’s guided walkthrough and build something new in your provided environment!

Did you know?

On average, you retain 75% more of your learning if you get time for practice.