Malware is among the biggest threats to the security of any electronic device. Examples of malware are spyware, viruses, ransomware, and other unwanted software installed into your device secretly and without your consent. When malware is installed onto a device, criminals may use it to send you inappropriate or unwanted ads, encrypt data through ransomware then ask for payment to unscramble it, make your device vulnerable to additional malware, and access your sensitive information illegally without your consent.
How to find out if you have malware
Unusual behavior from your device might be a sign of infection with malware. These unusual behaviors include:
- Slowing down suddenly, crashing, or displaying error messages repeatedly.
- Failure to shut down or restart.
- Not allowing you to remove software
- Too many inappropriate ads or pop-ups that interfere with page content.
- Sudden and constant icons or toolbars on your desktop or in your browser.
- Sending emails that you did not send.
- Unusual battery draining.
How does malware get on a device?
Malware may get on a device through:
- Downloading free things like movies, TV shows or games
- Downloading content from file-sharing sites
- Clicking on fake links from scammers
- Downloading files from unknown storage media.
You can protect yourself from malware by:
- Pay attention to security warnings presented by your browser
- Scan storage media before using them
- Avoid clicking on ads or pop-ups that talk about your device’s performance
- Obtain software directly from the source
- Rather than click on links in text messages or emails, type the URL of trusted sites directly into the browser.
- Read a screen when you install new software to ensure that you recognize the software you are downloading.
The weight of malware attacks cannot be overstressed and keeping safe is imperative to avoid the crippling of your device and to ensure the safety of your sensitive information. If you feel that your computer may be compromised, there are plenty of reputable malware scanners available, such as MalwareBytes or Norton 360.
