Malware

two young men looking at their phones with concern

Malware, short for malicious software, refers to any software intentionally designed to cause damage to a computer, smartphone, router, server, or computer network. Malware can take various forms, including viruses, worms, Trojans, ransomware, spyware, adware, and more. It often infiltrates systems without the user's consent or knowledge, and its effects can range from mild annoyance to severe data loss or system compromise. Malware can extract passwords and personal information that can be used for financial or identity theft, potentially leading to many related problems.

  • Slow Performance: If your device suddenly starts running slower than usual, it could be a sign of malware consuming system resources in the background. An overworked hard drive can cause your computer to overheat and the fan to run loudly and often. 
  • Unusual Behavior: Malware may cause programs to crash unexpectedly, display strange error messages, delete files, or behave erratically.
  • Pop-up Ads: Adware malware often displays unwanted pop-up advertisements, even when you're not browsing the web.
  • Unexplained Network Activity: Malware may communicate with remote servers, leading to unexplained spikes in network activity.
  • Changed Settings: If your device's settings, such as homepage or default search engine, change without your permission, it could be due to malware.
  • Unknown applications (like browser toolbars) appear without you downloading them. 
  • Use Antivirus Software: Install reputable antivirus software and update it regularly to detect and remove malware.
  • Keep Software Updated: Regularly update your operating system, web browsers, and other software to patch security vulnerabilities that malware exploits.
  • Exercise Caution Online: Be cautious when clicking on links or downloading attachments, especially from unfamiliar or suspicious sources.
  • Enable Firewall: Enable a firewall to monitor and control incoming and outgoing network traffic, blocking malicious connections.
  • Backup Data: Regularly back up your important files and data to an external hard drive or cloud storage service to mitigate the impact of ransomware attacks.
  • See Cyber Crime Prevention  for further actions. 

If you've encountered malware, follow these steps to recover:

  • Isolate Infected Devices: Disconnect infected devices from the network to prevent further spread of malware.
  • Run a Scan: Use antivirus software to scan and remove the malware from your system.
  • Delete all temporary files.  if you cannot delete all the temporary files, try booting up your system in “Safe Mode” and attempt to delete them again. Typically, you can boot up Safe Mode from the device’s sign-in screen
  • Restore from Backup: If you have data backups, restore your files from the backup to ensure you don't lose any important information.
  • Reinstall Operating System: In severe cases where malware has deeply embedded itself, you may need to reinstall the operating system from scratch to ensure complete removal.
  • Change Passwords: After cleaning your system, change passwords for your online accounts to prevent unauthorized access.

References: