Malware is derived from two words “malicious” and “software” combined together into a single word. This often masks itself into other forms whereas it could look and sound legit and convincing to attract you to voluntarily accept to infiltrate a computer system. Since the 1970s, malware has been a threat to many individuals and organizations using a computer for both personal and professional purposes.
Every second of everyday, hundreds of malware variants are lurking online to see any possibility to attack as many as possible.
In this blog, we will share with you details about malware and its variants for a better understanding of what it does, how it works, and what possible damages it can cause.
What Does Malware Do?
Once malware infiltrates a system, it can give unauthorized access to malicious applications and codes that can do harm and damage to devices such as computers and smartphones. In short, you shouldn’t get tricked into installing malware masking itself as a program from the internet.
Malware is what hackers used to do cyber crimes. For example, it can access personal files, steal passwords, lock you out from your own account or device. Worst case scenario is if the hackers don’t just access your personal and financial information but use it to do evil works as they pose as you.
Oftentimes, many malware variants mask themselves as an anti-malware or antivirus program to trick you to download and install it to your computer. This often happens when someone opts to download them on illegal sites for free instead of on the official websites to purchase anti-malware or antivirus for downloading.
What Are The Types Of Malware?
Viruses
A computer or a system virus is a malicious program that replicates itself, it comes with a code to infiltrate making it uninstallable and continuing to infect other files and programs in your system.
It often comes from running, downloading, or installing from email attachments and/or USB drives. What makes it distinguishable is it replicates itself and continues to show up even after deleting.
Worms
It can be similar to a virus. What makes it different and distinguishable is that it spreads on its own instead of infecting a file or a program. Thus, it can jump from one computer to another that for a time connects with one another such as by using the same network. It also spreads at a faster rate. This type of malware variant is often encountered on computers sharing one network or system.
Trojan
This type of malware cannot reproduce on its own, but it is nastier once activated. It masquerades itself to look like a legitimate tool to trick someone into installing or to be used. And once activated it does its best to damage and spread without your knowledge. Furthermore, once activated, it can delete your files, run ransomware, or similar to disrupt your use of the device.
Spyware
It is another malware variant that can come in different forms. What it does is it tracks you to report to an entity—hackers—your computer usage without your permission to learn your behavior. Oftentimes, this is used for data collection for advertising. But it doesn’t mean that it is safe. Worst case scenario is that it collects your login information which may lead to having your account stolen.
Ransomware
A malware that encrypts your hard drive, either putting your files or damaging it unless demands from the entity who took over the control of your drive are dealt with. In short, hackers use ransomware to make your computer inaccessible to demand money from you.
This type of malware variant is what is used by hackers who want to infiltrate an organization or a company. And this is the reason why large companies invest in using VPN, hiring a team of IT experts, and setting up many firewalls to ensure confidential files are safe and secure along with the fact that unauthorized access outside the organization or the company would be avoided.
Adware
If you often see web ads when you visit a website or a page, these can be used as clickable ads to redirect you to another website. Although it may sound unharmful, you should not let your guards down as not all adware looks as it seems. There are adwares that are meant to trick you into downloading malicious programs.
Scareware
This type of malware is becoming more and more visible online these days. It is a bit like ransomware. However, it only pretends to scare you or make you think that your device is in danger. It typically comes with messages that notify you that you need to install an antivirus to your device soon and provide you a button where to download. Do not be fooled with this because what it does is it will collect you personal information that is mostly used by scammers online.
How To Get Away From Malware?
There are two things you can do to avoid and protect your devices from malware. You should stay vigilant and use legit protective tools. Downloading protective tools such as anti-malware and antivirus are actually effective to protect against malware. But you should know that when downloading and installing them, not all are free.
Most software for malware protection is pricey. However, this is not a reason for you to choose to download cracked files from various websites just to skip the part of paying for it. You should understand that there is a high chance that accessing illegal websites for downloading paid software for free can bring harm to your device. Sometimes, these files are also already infiltrated or infected with malware. So, you should be careful and know that downloading illegally is punishable by the law.
You should be vigilant by downloading software from legit website stores. Despite the fact that most anti-malware and antivirus software are paid ones, there are still free programs that you can download legally. Furthermore, the 100% guarantee of the protection these software offers would not be effective if you aren’t careful enough on browsing, downloading, and installing on the internet.
