The days of the viruses we have come to know are over, and hackers have created new threats to our computers which require further security measures. Viruses are definitely still a threat and you need antivirus software installed, but this is no longer enough. The most prevalent threat now is malware, and if you don’t have protection installed then you might already have some on your computer. By learning more about what it is, what it does, and how you can stop it, you will protect yourself from malware infestation and keep your computer running smoothly.
What is Malware?
The name malware is a shortened version of malicious software. It is software created to damage or disable your computer or computer system. It is installed on your computer without your true consent, usually hidden in another program or something you accidentally clicked. Non-malicious or harmless files are a great disguise which keeps you from realizing what you have allowed on your machine. A virus as we understand it is considered malware, as are worms and Trojan horses. It’s important to protect yourself from malware because these programs can do considerable damage and endanger your privacy and security.
What Does Malware Do?
Once malware is installed on your computer it can do untold damage and make it difficult to get anything done. They often go unnoticed at first as they slowly spread in the background. Some malware will gather your personal information, especially of a sensitive nature. This can include bank account information, passwords, email access, and anything else you store or access with your machine. It may also track your activity for marketing purposes and report back to whoever created it without your knowledge or consent. And when you have one malware program attached to your computer, it often leave you vulnerable to attack from other malware. Eventually you will notice problems with the function of your computer. Files and programs will become corrupted, processes will slow down, and error messages will pop up. Many different problems will occur, and your computer could become unusable if you don’t protect yourself from malware and get rid of it as soon as possible.
How Do I Stop it?
The best way to protect yourself from malware is antimalware software. Fortunately, some of the best antimalware software is free to download and use. One you install this defensive program, it should help keep malware at bay and warn you of any issues. If you are having computer problems for unknown reasons, one of the first things to do is run a malware scan. This will identify any infected files or areas and allow you to delete them from your computer. In case of file loss or corruption, you should be sure to create regular backups of your data. This will ensure that you don’t lose anything important and can restore your computer to a pre-malware state.
Severe Malware May Require a Professional
If stubborn malware can’t be removed or has caused your computer to be unusable, don’t despair. An expert computer repair service can help solve your problems and recover any lost data on the machine. Call us today, and our experts will be happy to assist you.