Protect Your Electronics From Malware
Malware is an umbrella term for programs that threaten to damage or compromise the functionality of your electronic devices. It includes viruses, worms, trojans, spyware, rootkits and ransomware, among other malicious software. Cybercriminals use malware to extort money, spy on users and steal data. Infections can impact a wide range of devices, including PCs, mobile phones, tablets, smart TVs and gaming systems.
Different types of malware spread in different ways. Some, like viruses and worms, self-replicate by inserting snippets of their code in other programs or files. Others spread through social engineering ploys. For example, IM worms spread by hijacking messaging apps to send infected attachments or links to your friends and colleagues. Some spread through compromised advertising networks or websites, a practice known as malvertising. Still others, such as Trojans, take advantage of flaws in the software design or operating system and sneak onto a device without the user’s knowledge.
Signs of a malware infection include a decline in performance (such as slowing down, running out of storage space or crashing) and the appearance of pop-up windows or suspicious messages. Security and IT teams may also notice unusual or unexplained network activity, such as devices communicating with unknown servers or users accessing assets they normally don’t.
A number of solutions can help defend against malware, including firewalls, proxies and network security appliances, and SIEM or security information and event management platforms that centralize alerts to make it easier to spot anomalies. A well-designed and implemented security architecture can also help deter many attacks, for example by enforcing strong password policies, blocking remote access to untrusted sources and deploying application control technologies that limit privileges on an infected system.