Dynamic Malware Analysis Checklist 2025 | Tools, Steps & Guide

Malware analysis is a critical skill for cybersecurity professionals, enabling them to understand, detect, and neutralize malicious threats before damage occurs. One of the most effective techniques used today is Dynamic Malware Analysis, which focuses on analyzing malware during execution in a controlled environment.

This blog breaks down a comprehensive Dynamic Malware Analysis Checklist, covering the tools, techniques, and steps you need to perform a real-world analysis of malware behavior—clearly explained and beginner-friendly.

 What Is Dynamic Malware Analysis?

Dynamic Malware Analysis involves executing suspicious files in a safe, isolated environment (like a sandbox or VM) to monitor how the malware behaves. This includes how it interacts with the system, network, files, and registry, and whether it downloads payloads or establishes command and control (C2) communication.

Unlike static analysis, which inspects code without execution, dynamic analysis gives real-time behavioral insight into malware.

 Dynamic Malware Analysis Checklist – Explained with Tools

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of each item in the checklist, with tools and descriptions:

 Why This Checklist Matters

This checklist helps analysts:

• Understand how malware behaves in live environments

• Identify Indicators of Compromise (IOCs) faster

  
  

• Improve incident response and threat intelligence

• Reduce false positives through behavioral correlation

• Stay updated with advanced malware techniques like fileless attacks, living-off-the-land binaries (LOLBins), etc.

 Pro Tips for Safer Analysis

• Always use isolated networks when running malware.

• Snapshot your VM before analysis to revert quickly.

• Use multi-tool validation (e.g., check both memory and registry).

• Document everything—logs, screenshots, and observed behaviors.

• Practice analyzing different malware types (ransomware, infostealers, Trojans, etc.).

 Conclusion

Dynamic Malware Analysis is not just about observing threats—it's about understanding them so deeply that we can predict, prevent, and prepare for future attacks. By following this 12-step checklist, cybersecurity professionals can ensure a methodical, thorough, and repeatable approach to malware analysis.

This guide can be used as a reference for blue teams, reverse engineers, malware analysts, and SOC teams alike.

Stay safe, and happy analyzing!

FAQ

What is dynamic malware analysis?

Dynamic malware analysis is the process of running a suspicious file in a controlled environment to observe its behavior in real-time.

How is dynamic malware analysis different from static analysis?

Dynamic analysis observes real-time behavior of malware, while static analysis inspects code or binaries without execution.

What tools are used for environment setup in malware analysis?

Common tools include VirtualBox, VMware, and Cuckoo Sandbox to create isolated test environments.

Why is a sandbox environment important for malware testing?

It ensures the malware cannot affect your real system and allows safe observation of its actions.

What is the purpose of file execution in dynamic analysis?

To run the sample and begin capturing behaviors, network activity, and system changes triggered by the file.

Which tool is used to monitor file execution?

Cuckoo Sandbox and Any.run are popular for simulating file execution and capturing activity logs.

What tools help in monitoring processes?

Procmon (Process Monitor) and Sysmon are used to log and analyze running processes and system activity.

How is network traffic analyzed in malware cases?

Tools like Wireshark and Tshark capture packet-level network traffic to detect command-and-control or exfiltration.

Why monitor the file system during analysis?

Malware may create, delete, or modify files. Monitoring helps spot such behaviors in real-time.

Which tools are used for file system monitoring?

Procmon, Filemon, and Sysinternals Suite are used to monitor file operations.

What is registry monitoring?

It involves checking if malware is trying to modify Windows Registry keys for persistence or configuration.

What tools monitor registry activity?

RegShot and Procmon are frequently used to detect registry modifications.

What is API call monitoring?

It captures API calls made by malware, which can reveal system-level actions like file drops or memory injection.

Which tools are used for API call monitoring?

API Monitor and Procmon can track calls to Windows APIs.

What is memory analysis in malware inspection?

It involves capturing and analyzing system memory to detect payloads, injections, or anomalies.

What tools are used for memory analysis?

Volatility, Process Hacker, and RAM capturing tools help extract and analyze memory dumps.

What is persistence detection?

It's the process of identifying how malware ensures it runs after reboot or login.

What tools detect persistence?

Autoruns, Regshot, and Task Scheduler viewer can help detect persistence techniques.

What are dropped files in malware analysis?

These are files that malware downloads or generates during its execution.

How can dropped files be identified?

Use Process Monitor and Cuckoo Sandbox to track file creation or downloads.

Why is behavior analysis important?

It gives insight into how the malware behaves on a system — like new process creation or network activity.

What tools help in behavior analysis?

Process Explorer and Windows Event Viewer are useful to monitor system state and actions.

What is IOC extraction?

IOC (Indicators of Compromise) extraction refers to gathering useful forensic data like IPs, domains, hashes, etc.

How do analysts extract IOCs?

By reviewing logs and using IOC tools or manual documentation after malware analysis.

What is the benefit of using Cuckoo Sandbox?

It automates dynamic malware analysis and generates reports with behavior, dropped files, and IOCs.

What are some signs malware has executed successfully?

Changes in processes, registry keys, file system activity, and external network connections are strong indicators.

Can dynamic malware analysis be done online?

Yes, services like Any.run, Joe Sandbox, and Hybrid Analysis provide online dynamic sandboxing.

What should be avoided during dynamic analysis?

Avoid using your main system, disable internet access (unless testing C2), and never run samples without a sandbox.

What are the limitations of dynamic malware analysis?

Some malware can detect the sandbox environment and behave differently to avoid detection.

How can you improve malware detection accuracy?

Combine static and dynamic analysis, use updated tools, monitor multiple system components, and extract IOCs thoroughly.