What Is Malware and How Does It Affect Your Computer?
A type of computer program that’s designed to damage or harm a system or its end users. Depending on its purpose and the attack vector, malware can steal or encrypt data; alter or hijack core computing functions; or monitor and record end user computer activity.
Malware is typically spread through phishing emails, malicious websites, software vulnerabilities, infected USB drives, and other types of physical media. Once downloaded, it can infect your device or network and begin its attack.
Viruses, worms, Trojan horses, spyware, botnets, and ransomware are all considered to be malware. The goal of these attacks is to make money from the compromised device, network, or user. This can be achieved by stealing personal information, installing additional programs that earn per-install cash, taking control of devices, or anything else the threat actor decides is worth their time and effort.
Today’s malware coders aren’t in it for the love of viruses or worms anymore. They’re in it for the money and are constantly looking to improve their techniques to get ahead of the competition. For example, a new generation of Trojans appear to be – and often actually are – useful programs that can help with homework or work projects. But once inside your walls, they turn loose a crew of nasties that steal your information, send it back to malware HQ, or bloat your hard drive with extra programs.
Symptoms of infection include an unexplained loss of disk space, an abnormally slow computer or device speed, and a spike in Internet activity to the attacker’s command and control server. If you experience any of these, it’s best to seek professional advice as soon as possible.