Cybersecurity Glossary: Terms Explained in Plain English | TecnetOne

What Is Fileless Malware? Definition | TecnetOne Glossary

Written by Tecnet One | Oct 7, 2026, 10:32:43 PM

Fileless malware does not drop an executable file on disk: it runs in memory and abuses legitimate system tools, such as PowerShell or WMI, to do its work. That is why it can slip past traditional antivirus, which looks for files, and is better caught by EDR that analyzes behavior.

How TecnetOne handles it: Managed Endpoint Protection

memory-based malware, living off the land, fileless attack