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Types of Malware
Viruses and Malware aimed at causing harm to personal data, devices, or people are considered malicious software.
A computer infected with Malware will show symptoms such as slow performance, automatic email sending, random rebooting, or unknown processes.
In addition to viruses and keyloggers, worms, trojan horses, trojans, crypto-malware, ransomware, logic bombs, botnets, & spyware, rootkits and adware are common types of Malware. Several measures are available to mitigate or prevent malware attacks, including introducing security training and policies and performing periodic vulnerability assessments. It’s highly recommended to install a VPN software on a device that you’re using.
If the crook behind the Malware has the manpower, resources, and time to launch an attack, then they have a chance of finding a way in. No system is 100% secure or “hacker-proof.”
How Does Malware infect your Computer?
You can get infected with Malware by exploiting software vulnerabilities. You can think of a vulnerability as an opening in your software that will allow Malware to access your Computer. A website can try to infect your PC with Malware by exploiting vulnerabilities in your web browser.
Some of the well-known ways that Malware can affect your Computer are as follows:
Phishing Emails
Phishing is an online scam where cybercriminals create fake emails to steal sensitive information from victims. Typically, people don’t realize phishing activities have victimized them because the emails they receive look too authentic and similar to the originals. The unfortunate thing is that clicking on a link embedded in the email already grants access to the hackers, allowing them to steal their data unknowingly.
Infected Files
Cybercriminals use infected files to steal information. Malicious websites often host infected files, which restructure codes in a copy to perform functions contrary to the ones the user expects. Thus, updating antivirus software is vital for keeping data safe and secure on a personal computer.
Connected Peripherals
Malware commonly infects computers via connected peripheral devices.
Cybercriminals can utilize computer accessories such as flash drives to program a virus that remains undetected until the user has already divulged all their information. Avoid using peripheral devices as much as possible, especially if you’re unsure where they were previously connected. Be sure to scan them before using them if you can’t avoid them.
Operating System Loopholes
Contrary to popular belief, malware attacks aren’t 100% safe on operating systems. These components can become one of the most vulnerable parts of a computer system, making them susceptible to cyberattacks. People can prevent viruses and Malware from entering their computers as long as they update the antivirus software installed. Operating system cyberattacks are rare, but they are not impossible.
Malicious Websites
Cybercriminals use malicious websites almost precisely as they do phishing emails. Their sites are copies of existing companies’ websites, often in a similar style to the originals. Malicious websites look innocent, but they can compromise a computer’s security features and take all the information they need from it. Do not visit suspicious websites and use only well-known or accredited ones.
Despite all the advancements in technology, Malware still exists since people want to keep ahead of everyone else. Nevertheless, it is up to users to safeguard their information from potential thieves who can steal it using simple tools designed to cheat them. Stay safe while browsing the web or install antivirus software for the best results.
The Common Types of Malware to be aware of
Adware
In some cases, adware displays malicious or unwanted ads. Despite being relatively harmless, “spammy” advertisements continue to irritate you while you work, heavily affecting your Computer’s performance. Furthermore, these ads can inadvertently lead to users downloading other kinds of Malware.
To avoid adware, keep your web browser, email client, and operating system updated so they can identify and stop adware attacks prior to them being downloaded and installed.
Worms
Like viruses, worms spread from one device to another. Worms, however, don’t affect other programs. They usually target known vulnerabilities. As a result, to protect your devices from worms, you should make sure they have the latest patches installed. You can also detect worms by using firewalls and email filters.
Trojans
Trojan programs are malicious programs that appear to be legitimate but are malicious. As opposed to viruses or worms, trojans must be activated by their victims before they can spread.
Generally, a trojan enters a computer system via an email attachment or by clicking on a website link. Due to the way trojans are spread through social engineering, they are not always easy to stop.
Viruses
Additionally, a virus can spread to other systems and infect other programs to perform malicious actions. As soon as the file is launched, the virus is executed.
To protect yourself from trojans, never install or download programs from a source you don’t know. To prevent employees from downloading software from unauthorized sources, ensure that only reputable app stores and developers are used.
Data and files will also be encrypted, corrupted, deleted, or moved by the virus.
If you need to protect all your devices from viruses, an enterprise-level antivirus solution can assist you in maintaining control and visibility from a central location. Maintain your antivirus definitions by running full scans frequently.
Bots
Bots are programs that perform automated tasks without requiring human interaction. The bot infection on a computer may spread through other systems, forming a botnet. Hackers can control and use this system of bot-controlled devices to launch massive attacks without the machine’s owner knowing their involvement. Hundreds of thousands of bots can carry out large-scale attacks, including the distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack that disrupted internet service in most of the Eastern U.S. in 2018.
Identifying whether traffic comes from human users or bots is a way to control bots. Bots can be prevented from bombarding your website, you can add CAPTCHAs to your forms. By doing so, you will be able to differentiate between good and bad traffic.
Spyware
Cybercriminals monitor users through spyware. Malware can be used to gather user names, passwords, and other personal information by logging keystrokes throughout the day.
A combination of antivirus software and other malware detection and elimination tools can help detect and remove spyware.
Thank you for reading!