You might be aware of the term, ‘malware’, however, you might still be wondering, what is malware? In fact, if you are only familiar with the term and not its meaning, you have come to the right place.
In this blog, we will explore what is malware and discuss the answers to all the important questions related to malware, such as:
- What does malware mean?
- What is malware on the computer?
- What are the signs of malware infection
- What does malware do?
- What to do if there is malware?
If these are questions that you are itching to know the answer to, we encourage you to keep reading this handy blog.
So, without further ado, let’s jump right into the world of malware!
Malware Definition
So, what does malware mean?
If it was not obvious, malware is a portmanteau of the words, ‘malicious’ and ‘software’. In essence, it literally means malicious software. This encompasses all types of malicious software that has been designed to steal, exploit, or harm programmable devices, networks, or services.
What Does Malware Do
So, what does it mean to have malware on your computer? To simplify it with an analogy, malware is like the flu and its severity can vary. It (literally) infects the computer, interfering with how it functions and operates. However, unlike the mild flu that can go away on its own, malware does not just disappear if you leave it alone.
You must be proactive in removing it – which we will delve deeper into in this blog.
The Motives Behind Malware
Cybercriminals and hackers may utilize malware for a number of different reasons, including:
- Identity theft
- Stealing financial information
- Making a political statement
- Exploitation
- Mining cryptocurrencies
- Attacks against certain networks
- And more…
It can be difficult to determine exactly what their motives are behind it, but we do know one thing for certain: they intend to infiltrate our computer systems and exploit our data.
How does Malware Spread
Going back to the flu analogy, one single contact or exposure to the malware is all it takes for it to infiltrate your computer’s system. This is usually done through:
- Email attachments
- Phishing emails
- Malicious links
- Malvertising (malicious advertisements)
- Infected USBs
- Infected applications
Unintentional (or intentional) downloads of (fake) software
It would not be surprising to find cybercriminals creating new ways for malware to spread in the future.
The Signs and Symptoms of Malware Infection
“What are the signs of malware infection?” – Fortunately, it is often easy to spot whether your computer has been corrupted with malware. The telltale signs to be wary of include:
- Random and constant pop-ups and ads
- Random icons or toolbars
- Suddenly slow system
- Unexplained crashes or error messages
- Inability to restart or shut down the computer
- Inability to access folders or files
- Inability to remove software
- Battery drains faster than usual
- New tabs or website pages open
- And more…
If you experience any of the above problems, it could indicate that your computer has been compromised and infected with malware. Don’t worry – we will explore how this can be fixed later on…
Types of Malware
The next question on our list is, “What does malware do?”.
As it is considered a blanket term, you can expect to find a variety of malware or malicious software out there. This means that different types of malware might have separate processes and functions, but they all have a common goal of harming the system.
Here are the most common types of malware that you might encounter:
- Viruses
A virus is usually found as an email attachment, infecting the computer as soon as the attachment is opened. Viruses are contagious, and often able to spread to other programs on your computer. It can delete, encrypt, corrupt, and move data in an instant.
2. Trojans
Trojans are a well-known form of malware that disguises itself as a harmless application, tricking users into downloading it. Once downloaded and launched, it can attack, steal, crash, or even spy on the user’s activities.
3. Fileless Malware
Fileless malware is one of the most dangerous types of malware to encounter because it is often difficult to defend against as it uses non-file objects and system tools to corrupt systems. This means that there is no malware file to detect and remove.
4. Adware
Disruptive and unwanted ads that constantly blink or appear on your screen could be a form of adware. This is possible if you have installed an adware program when downloading another program.
5. Spyware
Spyware is used to monitor user activities, capturing login details and other personal information that you might input. Spyware is typically installed as a program on your computer, often without your knowledge. It is important to note that it is not only cybercriminals that might use spyware – government agencies and even consumers have access to spyware.
6. Ransomware
Potentially the most profitable form of malware there is, ransomware installs itself on a computer, encrypts the device’s data and files, and then demands a ransom (usually cryptocurrency) in exchange for the encrypted data.
What to Do if You Suspect Malware on Your Computer
Perhaps one of the most crucial questions of all is, “What to do if there is malware?”.
If you suspect that malware has infiltrated your computer, it is important that you install legitimate and reliable anti-malware software that can identify and remove malware from your computer.
At iolo, we have an exceptional anti-malware solution for you: our very own System Mechanic Pro
System Mechanic Pro is a comprehensive software designed to keep your computer and data safe by effectively finding and eliminating existing malware. With System Mechanic Pro, you can benefit from a range of powerful features, including:
- On-demand malware search and elimination
- Enhanced threat-detection algorithm
- Artificial intelligence (AI) utilization for the discovery of new threats
- Fast detection and monitoring of suspicious behavior, including analyzing suspicious files
By using iolo’s System Mechanic Pro , you can remove malware from already-infected computers and continue to protect your computer against malware. Available for Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, and 7!
Plus, we also offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, meaning if you are not satisfied with our product, you are more than welcome to reach out to us and we can help solve the problem or issue a refund.
Taking Precautions
While having anti-malware software should be a necessity for modern computer users, it is also worthwhile to consider how you can prevent malware by recognizing potential malware and taking the necessary steps to avoid it. This includes:
- Using multi-factor authentication for logins
- Using strong passwords
- Regularly changing passwords
- Not clicking on random pop-up ads
- Not clicking on random, unverified links
- Not opening unknown email attachments
- Not downloading software from suspicious websites
- Avoiding sites with suspicious domains
- Deleting unused programs
- Ensuring that the PC is up-to-date
- Keeping the anti-malware software (like System Mechanic Pro) active and performing regular checks
Protect Your Computer Against Malware with iolo
Now that you understand what malware is and what it does, you should be better prepared when it comes to protecting your computers against malware attacks.
iolo and our anti-malware and performance products like System Mechanic Pro are the perfect solution for preventing and eradicating malware from your computers. Regardless of whether your computer is already infected or not, iolo can help safeguard your personal information, reducing the likelihood of data theft.
As malware continues to evolve, with new and unique forms of malware emerging, it is time for individuals to think smarter about their computer use. Being diligent is not always enough – anti-malware software is what your computer needs for your safety.
Interested in learning more about our products or have further questions? Don’t hesitate to get in touch with the iolo team today!
