Malware is one of the worst threats you can encounter on a computer or device with it being responsible for more than 10 million cyber attacks every year.
These attacks cause serious damage to computers and networks as well as major financial losses worldwide.
Malware is malicious software that is designed to cause damage, steal private data and gain unauthorised access to your computer without you knowing.
In this guide I’m going to teach you everything you need to know about malware, how it spreads and how you can protect yourself from this dangerous threat.
Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links including Amazon affiliate links meaning if you purchase anything using the links on this page I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products that I genuinely believe will benefit you and suit your needs.
- What Is Malware?
- How Does Malware Spread?
- Red Flags To Watch For
- #1 Slow Performance
- #2 Unexpected Freezing And Crashing
- #3 A lot of annoying pop ups
- #4 Sudden high internet usage
- #5 Programs Opening On Their Own
- #6 New Software Appears On Its Own
- #7 Web Browser Changes
- #8 Disabled Security Tools
- #9 Unexplained Decrease In Storage Space
- #10 Suspicious Virus Warnings
- Be Aware Not Scared
- How To Avoid Malware
- What To Do If You're Infected
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Malware?
Malware stands for malicious software which is any program that is designed to cause damage and gain unauthorised access to devices.
Malware is a universal term and includes that includes other harmful software such as viruses, spyware and ransomware.
It’s designed by hackers and cybercriminals to steal data, damange computer systems and extort money from victims.
Types Of Malware
Malware comes in many different forms with some more dangerous than other but all malware is harmful to anyone that comes in contact with it.
Common types of malware include
- Viruses The oldest and most common type of malicious software. A virus is hidden inside a file or document and only runs when an infected files is opened. Viruses causes a lot of disruptions and exposes devices to further infections.
- Worms A worm is any malicious software that can copy itself and run without any user interaction. They take advantage in networks and can spread through network connections as well. Worms cause computer crashes and resource overloads due to the large amount of resources they comsume.
- Adware Malicious software this automatically installs itself on a device without the user knowing. It’s often bundled with free software and displays frequent and unwanted ads. It can also sell the user’s browsing data without their consent causing privacy and security vulnerabilities.
- Spyware A type of malicious software that spies on what the user is doing and sends the data to a third party without the user’s consent. It often steals personal and business information which gets used for malicious purposes by the parties that recieve the information.
- Trojans A dangerous type of malware that disguises itself as a genuine file or program to trick the user into installing it. Once installed it damages systems, steals personal data and can provide unauthorised access using backdoors it finds or creates.
- Ransomware A dangerous type of malware that locks down a user’s data and files holding them hostage. The attacker than demands a ransom payment usually in cryptocurrency in exchange for the user’s data and files being released.
There are other types of Malware as well but those listed above are the most common types encountered by users.
How Does Malware Spread?
Malware is spread through infected files, unprotected devices and vulnerable networks.
It infiltrates devices by disguising itself as a legitimate program or an important document to trick users into opening or downloading it.
Common infiltration methods include
- Phishing emails that contain malicious links or attachments
- Infected downloads from unsafe websites with fake software
- Surfing hacked websites
- Viewing malicious ads
- Software vulnerabilities in outdated or unpatched programs
- Network vulnerabilities that allow malware to spread across connected devices
Everything you do online puts you at risk of encountering malware especially downloading from unsecure websites.
Once installed on a system malware causes serious damage and disruption as well as lead to the theft of personal data and money.
Red Flags To Watch For
There are many telltale signs that malware may be present on your computer but you may not realize what’s happening at first.
Malware can be sneaky and is not always detectable straight away depending on the type you’re dealing with.
But the good news is there are several red flags that indicate a malware infection. If you learn to spot them you can take action to stop malware in its tracks before any serious damage is done.
Below are the most common signs of a malware attack
#1 Slow Performance
A slow computer can be the first indicator that something is not right.
Even though malware is not always the cause of a slow computer you shouldn’t ignore it because malware isn’t lightweight, it uses system resources and can slow your computer down.
#2 Unexpected Freezing And Crashing
If your programs or web browser keeps freezing for no apparent reason this is a concern and if your computer keep crashing it could be due to malware.
As the infection progresses freezing and crashing will continue to the point where your computer could become unusable.
So if you are having unexpected issues with your computer being unresponsive you might have a malware infection.
#3 A lot of annoying pop ups
Malware causes a lot of pop ups which are very annoying and they can be dangerous as well.
Pop ups you might see include a lot of ads that come out of nowhere, sudden unexplainable error messages and threatening pop ups on your web browser or desktop.
This is a key indicator of malware and is something you need to take care of as soon as possible.
#4 Sudden high internet usage
Some types of malware especially trojan can eat up your internet data.
If you see a sudden increase in your internet traffic a hacker may be connected to your device.
If your data is suddenly being used up very quickly for no reason a trojan could be downloading malicious files and other malware to your computer.
Don’t ignore it and investigate before it’s too late.
#5 Programs Opening On Their Own
It’s not normal for any programs to open on their own for any reason unless you have them set to open at startup or any other time.
If programs start opening, closing or behaving in any strange ways it is most likely due to malware.
#6 New Software Appears On Its Own
If you notice any new software on your computer that you didn’t install it’s a sign something is very wrong.
Malware often installs other malicious programs on devices it infects and it can also remove your software as well.
So if you notice this on your computer take action straight away.
#7 Web Browser Changes
Web browser changes such as the homepage changing by itself or extensions being installed are common with malware.
You might also notice things like your web browser freezing or running slow and you keep getting redirected to strange websites.
These are all indicators that malware is present on your computer.
#8 Disabled Security Tools
Some malware can bypass your antivirus software and other security tools you use.
It can even disable them to avoid being detected which is a big concern.
If your antivirus software or any security tools get disabled and you didn’t do it this means you have a hacker or malware.
#9 Unexplained Decrease In Storage Space
An unexplained decrease in storage space can be caused by malware because it installs malicious files and software on your device.
Therefore it uses up storage space and usually a lot of it due to its downloads having large file sizes.
If you noticed your storage space decreasing but you haven’t made any changes to your computer you could have Malware.
#10 Suspicious Virus Warnings
Malware often displays suspicious virus warnings but these are fake ones to trick you into clicking on them.
If you get any virus warnings that don’t come from your antivirus software you should be very wary of it.
You may see these fake virus warnings on unsafe websites but if they start appearing on your desktop you likely have malware.
Be Aware Not Scared
If you have any of the above signs of malware don’t panic because you’re not alone.
Malware is more common than you think so it’s not your fault if you get attacked and infected.
As you familiarise yourself with the signs of malware you will be able to protect yourself from infections.
The first step is being aware not scared.
How To Avoid Malware
While it’s not possible to avoid malware 100% there are many things you can do to dramatically reduce your chances of encountering it.
Staying safe online should always be your top priority and you can never be too careful.
Always have good antivirus and anti malware software, keep them and your operating system up to date at all times.
Computer Security Tips
Keeping your computer secure and staying safe online might seem hard and overwhelming.
But don’t worry it’s easy and with some simple tips you can protect yourself from malware and other online threats.
Here’s a list of tips to help you stay safe from malware
- Use antivirus and anti malware software
- Only use trustworthy security software
- Regularly run your security software
- Keep all your software and operating system up to date
- Don’t download anything from unfamiliar or unsecure websites
- Avoid pirated software and games
- Don’t click suspicious links or open suspicious email attachments
- Use strong and unique passwords
- Install and use a firewall
- Scan USB drives and any external drives before use
- Use a VPN on public WiFi if possible or avoid it altogether
- Stay alert and informed about any security threats
By following the tips above you will be able to secure your computer and stay safe from any threats. Always do your best to protect yourself and your devices.
You should always do your best to protect yourself and your devices.
It’s never too late to take action and it’s definitely better to be safe than sorry.
Did you know malware also spreads through scam emails? Check out my guide on how to spot a scam email to learn the red flags to look out for and avoid any threats coming through your email.
What To Do If You’re Infected
If you have been infected by Malware don’t panic because you’re not alone and it is fixable.
Take a deep breath and get ready to implement some simple actions that will get your device working normally again.
The first thing you need to do is disconnect from the internet because malware will continue to download more files and threats which will cause it to spread.
The only way to stop this is to disconnect from the internet before you do anything else.
Getting Rid Of Malware
Now that you have disconnected from the inernet it’s time to tackle the malware and stop it in its tracks.
Follow the simple steps below to get your device working normally again
- Run a full antivirus and anti malware scan
- Remove any suspicious programs that appeared on your device
- Update all software and your operating system
- Check your email, banking, cloud and soical media accounts for breaches
- Change all your account passwords
- Restore your operating system from a backup if malware is still present
- Report the incident to the relevant authorities
- Learn more about computer security and strengthen your defenses
If you follow the steps above you will be able to crush malware and drive out any other security threats.
Always make sure you keep your files and system backed up regularly and make sure to have a copy available at all times in case of an emergency.
In most cases you should be able to fix your computer on your own but if the malware infection is severe you may need to consult a professional technician for help as a last resort.
Best Tools For Malware Protection
Keeping yourself safe from malware starts with having the right tool and once you have the tools you need to you can crush any threats that come your way,
There are many tools out there for keeping our device secure but I have selected the best ones for the job.
Here are the best for for malware protection
- Malwarebytes A powerful malware removal tool that offers deep scanning, real time protection and a ransomware sheild all from one easy to use dashboard.
- McAfee Total Security gives you complete virus and malware protection as well as full email scanning that will detect anything suspicious and other features like a VPN and a password manager.
- Bitdefender is a top rated cybersecurity suite that includes protection against scam emails, phishing attacks, web attacks, viruses, malware and ransomware.
- Kaspersky Plus A robust antivirus that offers strong malware defense as well as other useful features like a VPN and password manager.
- Panda Dome Complete Antivirus A complete security suite that is easy to use and offers good malware protection, a firewall on Windows, VPN access, real time protection and much more.
My top pick would be Malwarebytes because of the top notch security it provides but any of the above options are amazing choices and will keep your device protected.
It’s very important to stay safe and protected at all times when you’re online and with the right tool you can do just that.
Don’t let threats slip through your fingers and remember keeping your device secure keeps your personal data safe from any malicious activity.
Conclusion
In conclusion Malware is one of the worst threats you can encounter on a computer or device with it being responsible for more than 10 million cyber attacks every year.
But it’s not unbeatable and you’ve just taken a powerful step towards securing your devices and protecting yourself online. You have learned how to spot malware, how to avoid it and what to do if you ever encounter it.
With the right tools you can n keep your data safe and crush any threats that come your way. Stay alert, keep calm and most importantly remember be aware not scared.
Thank you for reading. I hope that you enjoyed this article about malware. If you have any questions or if you need any help let me know in the comments.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you would like to learn how malware can come through scam emails as well as how to protect yourself check out my guide on how to spot a scam email and you can get your own copy of malwarebytes by clicking here