Being online has become an essential part of our daily lives. Even businesses have established their own virtual workspace. Unfortunately, there are many different forms of cyberattacks that threaten the security of our online personal information.
One of the most common cyber security threats is malware. It may seep into your system silently disguised as a benign source, yet you realize it infected your system. Since digital infections come to have various types, it is crucial to have yourself prepared.
It may take several layers of protection to abolish criminals from getting access to sensitive data. Thus, weaponize your data with the best malware protection systems. Learn all about cyber malevolent, different types and sources of malware, and how to avoid it.
What is Malware?
It is a combination of the words “malicious” and “software.” As the name suggests, it is a file or program that spreads an infection into your system. It can take place on a physical level by infecting a device or hardware or virtually by damaging software.
Malicious programs aim to steal or damage sensitive data that is either personal, financial, or professional. They also enable cybercriminals to gain remote access to private networks or systems.
Different Sources
Cybercriminals, unfortunately, get creative every day when it comes to inventing new methods to steal, blackmail, or cause any kind of corruption. They use different methods to spread maliciousness into your devices and networks silently.
One way that attackers use to infect your network is through impersonation. They manage to steal the personal information of a user and start sending emails with infected attachments. Once the attached file is clicked on or installed, malware gets into your system, enabling the hacker to gain access. Sending out malicious links is also another method used by cyber attackers.
9 Common Types
While malware is only one form of cyber threat, it encompasses different types and forms. Get yourself accustomed to them, so you can tell if your system has caught an infection without you knowing.
Virus
Everyone is almost familiar with this kind of malware or is used to hearing this term. Viruses are forms of malware that self-replicate when the victim takes action upon them. They work by slipping their codes into programs, causing system damage, data corruption, or stealing sensitive information.
Trojans
Tech gurus refer to this malware as a trojan horse or simply trojan. This type of infection works by deceiving a user by concealing itself into a genuine email or link. When the user follows through by downloading the attachment or opening the link, the trojan is installed, damaging the system.
Worms
Worms pretty much resemble viruses in their deceptive and self-replication nature. They rely on vulnerabilities found in a system, giving attackers access to networks and devices. Worms differ from viruses in their aim, where they cause severe harm but don’t modify the victim’s system. However, some worms that add heavy loads to systems can cause serious disorderliness.
Ransomware
This is another form of malware that functions differently. Ransomware is maliciousness that blocks the user from accessing their own system or network. The victim is obliged to pay a ransom in exchange for regaining access.
Bugs
Bugs is also another term that you may find lots of people familiar with. They are not an actual type of malware; however, they cause defects and flaws within a system or network. This shortcoming paves the way for vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit to spread malware.
Spyware
Spyware is malware that works as a virtual stalker. Once the malware infects a system, it starts gathering information about the user or the organization in which they work. The information that this malware steals enables them to blackmail or gain access to your finances.
Keyloggers
Keyloggers are a type of malware that records each keystroke the victim types on their device. It helps the attacker gain sensitive information about the victim, including login credentials or financial details. That’s why it is crucial not to share your passwords or numbers of financial cards.
Rootkits
This type of malware is rather a collection of different ones combined to enable hackers to gain unauthorized access. Rootkits are capable of mimicking the attacked software, making it easy for them to go undetected. Besides, a rootkit is capable of bringing down the program that is supposed to detect it, so it is a tricky malware to get rid of.
Bots
A bot is a term used to describe a device infected with malware. Those devices give cybercriminals remote control over a system. Besides, it paves the way for spreading even more types of malware.
5 Best Programs for Ultimate Protection
Now that you have learned about the deceptive nature of malware, it is time to army yourself up against their attacks. The necessity grows more potent when you are a business owner or someone with so much to lose. Check out the best malware programs for adding as many layers of protection as you need.
Avira
Avira is one of the best malware programs that is highly recommended. It is easy to install and offers you premium features that keep your device safe. Avira is capable of detecting ransomware and trojans before any damages take place. It also works on repairing files that the malware managed to disrupt.
Norton
Norton is famous for being one of the best software protection programs against viruses. It installs a smart firewall that places your system behind a sturdy guard from several malicious software. Besides, it is one of the most prevalent password managers with reasonable space for data backup.
McAfee
If you tend to use more than one device, then McAfee should be your best buddy. It efficiently protects all of your connected devices. Besides, it detects the existence of any security issues and fixes them immediately. McAfee malware program manages to halt any infection outbreak in action. The best part is that they promise you a refund if they fail to protect you from potential threats.
TotalAV
TotalAV should be your go-to if you are a Mac user since it fully optimizes its systems. However, it still works as efficiently with windows devices. TotalAV is the best malware protection program since it defends your system against ransomware, spyware, adware, and viruses.
Bitdefender
Bitdefender is a perfect option since it works maximally with almost all operating systems. Besides its ability to detect malware early, it also secures your wi-fi hotspots. This is particularly great since cybercriminals manage to attack through connecting to your networks, especially public ones.