1. Introduction to Malware Development
- Overview of Malware and its Types
- Ethical Considerations and Legal Boundaries
- Malware Lifecycle
- Fundamentals of Windows OS and its Security Architecture
2. Setting Up a Development Environment
- Introduction to Malware Development Tools
- Setting up a Virtual Lab (VMware, VirtualBox)
- Using Debuggers and Disassemblers
- Introduction to Assembly Language and Reverse Engineering
3. Windows Internals for Malware Developers
- Windows Process and Memory Management
- Windows API Functions and System Calls
- Windows User Mode vs. Kernel Mode
- DLL Injection and API Hooking
4. Developing Basic Malware
- Writing a Simple Executable
- Creating Stealth Mechanisms (Process Hollowing, Code Injection)
- Persistence Techniques (Registry, Startup Folder, Services)
- Keylogging and Screen Capturing Techniques
5. Advanced Malware Development
- Rootkits: Theory and Development
- Advanced API Hooking and Code Injection
- Bypassing User Account Control (UAC)
- Polymorphic and Metamorphic Malware
6. Evasion Techniques
- Bypassing Antivirus and Sandboxes
- Obfuscation Techniques
- Packing and Crypting Malware
- Anti-Debugging and Anti-VM Techniques
7. Network-based Malware
- Understanding Windows Networking Internals
- Developing Remote Access Trojans (RATs)
- Command and Control (C2) Server Development
- Implementing Data Exfiltration
8. Testing and Debugging Malware
- Testing Malware in Isolated Environments
- Using Debuggers to Track Malware Execution
- Analyzing Logs and System Artifacts
- Fine-tuning Malware Functionality
9. Capstone Project: Building a Custom Malware
- Designing and Implementing a Custom Malware
- Implementing Stealth and Persistence Features
