Malware

Malware is one of the unfortunate aspects of owning a computer. Your computer is at risk of infection from malware, or malicious software, when it is not protected properly. Malware can wreak havoc on your computer system and render it useless if infected completely. There are several different ways to protect your computer from malware.

One of the most common ways to protect your computer from malware is to install strong computer security software on your system. Computer security that has many different levels of security will make it more difficult for a hacker to penetrate through your system. Another way that you can avoid malware is to insure that you never click on a link that you don't trust or that your security warns you may be dangerous to your system. It is also wise to ignore attachments in emails from people that you don't recognize. Many emails are phishing scams and are nothing more than an attempt to gain access to your system in the hopes that your personal information can be stolen. It is estimated that 10 million people are the victim of identity theft every year with 19 new cases every one minute of the day. 

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Malware can show up in the form of software, active content, scripts, and computer code. Malware comes in many different forms which include:

  • Ransomware
  • Worms
  • Computer Virus
  • Root Kit
  • Trojan Horse
  • Spyware
  • Adware
  • Dialers
  • Keyloggers

The majority of malware infections will cause your computer to run slowly or not at all. One often overlooked cause of malware infections is your router or modem. If they are left unsecured you run the risk of intrusions and infection in your wireless devices. It is highly recommended that all routers be given a difficult to figure out password to help prevent intruders into your system.

Malware is malicious but does not mean the end of your system. With the right security you will be able to protect it and prevent it from being compromised.