Advanced Books on Malware and Research (2025)
1. Practical Malware Analysis: The Hands-On Guide to Dissecting Malicious Software
Authors: Michael Sikorski, Andrew Honig
Why Read It?
This is a classic and practical book for learning malware analysis techniques step-by-step. It
covers debugging,
disassembly, dynamic analysis, and static analysis, with hands-on labs and real-world examples.
Focus Areas:
- Tools like IDA Pro, OllyDbg, and Wireshark
- How to analyze Windows malware
- Techniques for bypassing anti-analysis methods
2. Malware Data Science: Attack Detection and Attribution
Authors: Joshua Saxe, Hillary Sanders
Why Read It?
This book combines machine learning with malware analysis, focusing on automated detection
and classification of malware.
It's perfect for applying data science to cybersecurity.
Focus Areas:
- Building machine learning models for malware detection
- Feature extraction from malware samples
- Case studies and examples of malware data science
3. The Art of Memory Forensics: Detecting Malware and Threats in Windows, Linux, and Mac
Memory
Authors: Michael Hale Ligh, Andrew Case, Jamie Levy, Aaron Walters
Why Read It?
A comprehensive guide for analyzing system memory to detect malware and advanced threats.
It's indispensable for forensic
investigators and malware researchers.
Focus Areas:
- Memory analysis techniques for different operating systems
- Identifying rootkits, backdoors, and other stealthy malware
- Using tools like Volatility
4. Rootkits and Bootkits: Reversing Modern Malware and Next Generation Threats
Authors: Alex Matrosov, Eugene Rodionov, Sergey Bratus, Bruce Dang
Why Read It?
This advanced book focuses on stealthy malware, such as rootkits and bootkits, which operate at
the lowest levels of
systems. It dives deep into bypassing modern defenses.
Focus Areas:
- Kernel-mode rootkits and bootkit techniques
- UEFI and BIOS vulnerabilities
- Detailed analysis of real-world rootkits
5. Advanced Malware Analysis: The Practical Guide to the Malicious Code Landscape
Authors: Christopher Elisan
Why Read It?
This book explains complex malware topics, such as advanced obfuscation techniques, evasion
strategies, and modern malware
ecosystems.
Focus Areas:
- Analyzing polymorphic and metamorphic malware
- Reverse engineering advanced threats
- Malware delivery methods and exploit kits
6. Reversing: Secrets of Reverse Engineering
Author: Eldad Eilam
Why Read It?
Although not strictly about malware, this book provides a strong foundation in reverse engineering,
a critical skill for
malware research.
Focus Areas:
- Reverse engineering techniques for Windows binaries
- Cracking protections like encryption and obfuscation
- Applying reverse engineering to analyze malware
7. Cybersecurity Attacks: Red Team Strategies, Techniques, and Tools
Authors: Johann Rehberger
Why Read It?
This book explores malware in the context of offensive cybersecurity operations, detailing red
team methodologies and attack
frameworks like Cobalt Strike and Metasploit.
Focus Areas:
- Custom payload and malware development
- Command and control (C2) techniques
- Advanced post-exploitation tools and tactics
8. Applied Incident Response (for context)
Author: Steve Anson
Why Read It?
Though not solely about malware, it provides advanced incident response techniques for detecting
and mitigating modern
threats, including malware.
Focus Areas:
- Response strategies to advanced malware attacks
- Indicators of compromise (IoCs) analysis
- Rootkit detection and eradication
Next Steps
Pair these books with hands-on labs and updated resources like:
- Online platforms like Malware Unicorn's Reverse Engineering Malware Workshops or Practical
Reverse Engineering Challenges.
- Tools like IDA Pro, Ghidra, Volatility, and Cuckoo Sandbox.
