How to Protect Your Computer From Malware
Malware is any software or firmware that is intentionally installed on a host device with the purpose of compromising confidentiality, integrity or availability. It is a broad category that includes viruses, worms, Trojan horses, spyware, bots and adware.
Some malware makes unauthorized changes to your system, such as monitoring your behavior, displaying pop-ups or redirecting search engine results. Others have more malicious intentions, such as encrypting your data and demanding ransom for its return.
The most common sign of a malware attack is a noticeable decline in computer performance, which happens because malware programs run in the background, eating up system resources. Your device may also seem to be using more bandwidth than usual or communicating with servers you wouldn’t expect. IT support teams often notice this type of anomalous activity as well.
Standard cyber hygiene practices can go a long way to protecting your systems and devices from malware attacks. Don’t open attachments from unknown senders, avoid downloading files or visiting suspicious websites and pay attention to your browser warnings. In addition, be wary of spoofed emails and texts that trick you into opening an infected file or clicking on a link. Some malware programs are even designed to hijack messaging apps to send infected attachments and links to your contacts. And finally, beware of infected ads that are placed on popular sites and platforms through a technique called malvertising. These can be used to install ransomware, keyloggers or cryptomining software to steal your processing power for illicit profit.