What Is Malware and How Does It Affect Your Computer?
In short, malware is any software that allows cybercriminals to take control of your device or steal information. These programs typically enter a device without your knowledge through email attachments, peer-to-peer file-sharing services or free software download bundles that contain hidden code. Once downloaded, they make unauthorized changes on your device – stealing data, downloading popups, displaying icons or rerouting search engine results. Some malware strains, like ransomware, encrypt your data and demand payment in exchange for a decryption key. Others, such as cryptojacking, hijack your device’s processing power to mine cryptocurrency without you knowing it.
While the exact numbers are unknown, it’s estimated that billions of devices are infected by malware every year. Hackers use malware for a variety of reasons, from extortion and corporate espionage to disrupting medical care systems and the theft of personal information that can be sold on the dark web.
Malware types include viruses, worms, Trojan horses, spyware and rootkits. Viruses embed themselves in an operating system or piece of software and replicate themselves to infect other systems within the same network. A worm is similar, except it can spread across networks without being intentionally run. Trojan horses disguise themselves as useful programs and are often found in pirated copies of software. Rootkits give attackers privileged access to your device’s operating system, hiding behind legitimate software tools and changing security settings. Common signs of a malware infection include a loss of disk space, suspicious activity on your internet router or swells in computer resources that don’t correlate with user behavior.