BotNet News

Malware is any computer program designed for nefarious purposes like gathering sensitive information, monitoring web browsing and keyboard activity, accessing private systems or even stealing or destroying data. Viruses, Trojan horses, worms, spyware, adware, bots and ransomware are all types of malware that have been used to gain illicit entry to a network.

Cyber criminals target businesses and individuals with malware because they can exploit weaknesses to steal valuable data, infect systems and cause damage. Attacks are often triggered by unsuspecting users who unknowingly download malware from an unreliable source, click on a suspicious link or access a rigged site or app. In the case of a malware attack, a thorough clean-up typically requires a full storage formatting and software reinstallation to guarantee a safe and secure system.

A successful malware attack can have a variety of harmful consequences, from financial loss and reputational harm to the crippling of critical infrastructure. Understanding how different types of malware work can help you spot an attack before it happens and take proactive steps to prevent it.

Symptoms to Look For

Some signs you might have malware are a slow-down in your computer’s performance, an out-of-the-blue loss of disk space, a swell in internet activity that doesn’t match your behavior and a redirected home page or search results. You might also notice the addition of new toolbars, extensions or a change in your browser’s default settings. Attackers often disguise malicious code inside updates, a document or an ad, making them harder to detect.