Understanding Malmon Types in Real Cybersecurity Context

Facilitator Guide for Connecting Game Classifications to Professional Knowledge

Understanding Malmon Types in Real Cybersecurity Context

Purpose of This Guide

As an Incident Master, you’ll often encounter questions about how Malmon types relate to real cybersecurity classifications. This guide helps you bridge game mechanics with professional knowledge, ensuring players understand both the educational concepts and their real-world applications.

Core Message for Players

“Malware & Monsters uses simplified classifications optimized for learning core cybersecurity concepts. While industry taxonomy is more complex, our types capture the essential defensive relationships you need to understand.”

Malmon Type Explanations

Trojan Types

Trojan/Stealth (GaboonGrabber, FakeBat)

Game Concept: Malware that disguises itself as legitimate software
Real-World Connection: Classic Trojan horse category - universally recognized
Key Learning: Social engineering awareness, behavioral analysis over signature detection

If Players Ask: “In the real world, ‘Trojan’ is one of the oldest and most widely-accepted malware categories. Security professionals immediately understand this means malware disguised as something legitimate.”

Trojan/Cross-Platform (WireLurker)

Game Concept: Malware that jumps between different operating systems
Real-World Connection: Emerging threat category as mobile/desktop integration increases
Key Learning: Multi-platform defense strategies, certificate management

If Players Ask: “Cross-platform malware is a growing concern as our devices become more interconnected. This classification helps you think about threats that don’t respect traditional OS boundaries.”

Worm Types

Worm/Ransomware (WannaCry)

Game Concept: Self-spreading malware that encrypts data for ransom
Real-World Connection: Combines two major threat categories
Key Learning: Network segmentation + backup strategies

If Players Ask: “WannaCry was historically significant because it combined worm-like spreading with ransomware payload. This hybrid approach is why we classify it as both - it teaches you to think about multiple threat vectors simultaneously.”

Worm/Web Server (Code Red)

Game Concept: Malware targeting internet infrastructure
Real-World Connection: Historical category for server-targeting worms
Key Learning: Patch management, infrastructure security

Worm/APT (Raspberry Robin, LitterDrifter)

Game Concept: Advanced worms used in sophisticated campaigns
Real-World Connection: Modern worms often serve as initial access for APT groups
Key Learning: Initial access prevention, threat intelligence

If Players Ask: “Modern ‘worms’ aren’t just random spreading malware - they’re often the first stage of sophisticated attacks. This classification helps you understand the connection between network threats and advanced persistent campaigns.”

Ransomware Types

Ransomware/Criminal (LockBit)

Game Concept: Ransomware operated by criminal organizations
Real-World Connection: Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) model
Key Learning: Business continuity, incident response coordination

If Players Ask: “Modern ransomware is typically run by professional criminal organizations, not individual hackers. Understanding this helps you prepare for sophisticated, well-funded attacks with customer support and negotiation teams.”

APT (Advanced Persistent Threat) Classifications

APT/Industrial (Stuxnet)

Game Concept: Nation-state malware targeting critical infrastructure
Real-World Connection: ICS/SCADA-specific threats
Key Learning: Air gap security, critical infrastructure protection

APT/Infostealer (Gh0st RAT, Noodle RAT, PoisonIvy)

Game Concept: Advanced malware designed for long-term data theft
Real-World Connection: Espionage-focused malware families
Key Learning: Data loss prevention, behavioral monitoring

If Players Ask: “APT technically refers to the threat actor group, not the malware itself. We use ‘APT/Infostealer’ to help you understand that this malware is typically used by sophisticated attackers for long-term espionage rather than quick financial gain.”

Addressing Common Player Questions

“Are these real malware categories?”

Answer: “Our core types - Trojan, Worm, Ransomware - are universally recognized in cybersecurity. We’ve simplified some industry complexity to focus on the defensive relationships that matter most for incident response. Every Malmon maps to real MITRE ATT&CK techniques that security professionals use daily.”

“Why not use official MITRE classifications?”

Answer: “MITRE ATT&CK focuses on techniques and tactics rather than malware types. We use their framework extensively in our detailed profiles, but for the game mechanics, traditional malware categories help you learn which defensive strategies work best against different threat behaviors.”

“What about other malware types like viruses or adware?”

Answer: “We focused on threats most relevant to modern enterprise incident response. Traditional viruses are less common now, and adware, while annoying, doesn’t typically require the same incident response coordination. Our selection teaches the collaborative defense concepts you’ll use against today’s most serious threats.”

Connecting Game Mechanics to Real Defense

Type Effectiveness Explanations

Game Relationship	Real-World Rationale	Professional Context
Trojan → Detection	Social engineering requires user awareness training	SOC analyst pattern recognition
Worm → Isolation	Network segmentation stops automated spreading	Network security architecture
Ransomware → Backup	Data restoration defeats encryption attacks	Business continuity planning
APT → Intelligence	Long-term threats need proactive hunting	Threat intelligence operations

Ability Explanations

When players ask about abilities like “Perfect Mimicry” or “EternalBlue Exploit”:

“These represent real attack techniques. ‘Perfect Mimicry’ teaches you about social engineering and the importance of user education. ‘EternalBlue Exploit’ references the actual NSA exploit that WannaCry used - understanding these specific techniques helps you recognize similar attacks in the wild.”

Professional Development Context

Skills Mapping

Help players understand how game concepts translate to career skills:

Detective Role → SOC Analyst, Incident Responder
Protector Role → Security Engineer, System Administrator
Tracker Role → Network Security Analyst, Threat Hunter
Communicator Role → Security Awareness Trainer, CISO Communications
Crisis Manager Role → Incident Response Manager, Security Operations Manager
Threat Hunter Role → Threat Intelligence Analyst, Advanced Threat Researcher

Certification Alignment

Game concepts align with major cybersecurity certifications:

• CISSP: Incident response coordination, security architecture
• GCIH: Incident handling procedures, malware analysis
• GCFA: Digital forensics, evidence preservation
• GSEC: General security concepts, threat landscape understanding

Advanced Discussion Topics

For experienced groups, you can explore:

Industry Taxonomy Variations

• How different security vendors classify the same malware differently
• Evolution of classification as threats become more sophisticated
• Challenges in automated malware classification systems

Attribution Complexity

• Why we separate malware behavior from threat actor motivation
• How the same malware can be used by different groups
• Intelligence requirements for attribution vs. response

Emerging Threat Categories

• AI/ML-enhanced malware
• Cloud-native threats
• IoT and edge device malware
• Supply chain compromise techniques

Remember: Education Over Perfect Taxonomy

The goal is teaching effective cybersecurity thinking, not memorizing perfect classifications. Focus on:

1. Defensive Strategy: What works against different threat behaviors
2. Team Coordination: How different roles contribute to response
3. Real-World Preparation: Skills and concepts players will use professionally
4. Continuous Learning: How to stay current as threats evolve

Your job as IM is to help players see the connections between game mechanics and professional practice, building confidence in their ability to handle real cybersecurity challenges.

Quick Reference: Handling Classification Questions

Simple Answer: Focus on defensive relationships and team coordination
Detailed Answer: Reference MITRE ATT&CK mappings in detailed profiles
Professional Context: Connect to career paths and certification requirements
Advanced Discussion: Explore industry taxonomy variations and attribution challenges

Remember: If you’re unsure about a specific classification question, it’s perfectly acceptable to say “That’s a great question - let’s look it up together after the session.” Learning how to research and verify information is itself a valuable cybersecurity skill.