Malware (or malicious software) is a software program designed with malicious intent. There are various types of malware, including:
Viruses — Perhaps the most well-known type of malware, viruses attach to legitimate programs and replicate when those programs run, spreading from one system to another.
Worms — Standalone malware programs, Worms replicate themselves to spread to other computers across networks, exploiting vulnerabilities in operating systems or software.
Trojans — Named after the infamous wooden horse, Trojans disguise themselves as legitimate software to trick users into downloading and executing them. Once activated, they grant cybercriminals unauthorized access to the infected systems.
Spyware — As the name suggests, spyware stealthily monitors a user’s activities, gathering sensitive information, e.g., login credentials, financial information, and browsing habits.
Ransomware — Another does-what-it-says type of malware, ransomware encrypts the victim’s files or blocks system access until the ransom is paid. In many cases, paying the ransom still won’t give the victim access again.
Adware — Less harmful than some of the other malware on the list, adware inundates the user with unwanted advertisements. This degrades the browsing experience and can lead to potential privacy concerns.
How do you get malware?
There are multiple ways to get malware, including
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Visiting hacked websites
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Viewing a legitimate site serving malicious ads
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Downloading infected files
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Installing infected programs or apps
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Opening malicious email attachments
Malicious apps can hide in seemingly legitimate applications - particularly when downloaded from websites or direct links. If you cannot download it via an official app store, pay particular attention to warning messages when downloading. Always review who/what you give permission to access your email and other personal information.
How do you remove malware?
Download a malware removal program and run a scan to remove malware from your device.
Remember, if your device has been infected with malware, it’s good practice to change all your passwords, too — especially if you save them to your device.
How do you protect yourself against malware?
Knowing how malware works is the first step to protecting yourself against it. Here are nine more tips to protect yourself and your devices from malware.
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Use strong passwords with multi-factor authentication, and never reuse passwords.
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Never click on pop-up ads while browsing.
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Avoid opening email attachments or opening links from unknown senders (this counts for text and social media messages, too).
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Pay attention to the sites you visit and be cautious of any that aren’t standard top-level domains, e.g., .com, .org, .net, .edu, .co.uk.
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Download official apps from the relevant app store and avoid software from untrustworthy websites or peer-to-peer transfer networks.
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Install all system, browser, and app updates (and turn on automatic updates where possible).
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Delete/uninstall programs and apps you no longer use.
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Back up your data regularly so you’re protected if your files become damaged/encrypted.
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Download a cybersecurity program and run regular scans.