Can You Spot Hidden Malware?

It’s not like Malware trots up to your network waving a sign that says ‘Bad Guy.’ You have to know what to look for. Malware can not only hurt your computer or phone, but it can also make your devices run slow and steal your info. You should ask your IT Services team what cybersecurity measures they have in place to protect you.

Here are some tips on how you can spot hidden malware lurking on your devices.

What is malware and why is it bad?

First, just take a look at the etymology of the word: The root prefix ‘mal’ means ‘bad,’ "evil," ‘wrong,’ or ‘ill’. Malware is short for ‘malicious software’ - a program that tries to harm your device or data. The most common types of malware are created by hackers looking to cause some kind of trouble, from theft to simply wreaking havoc.

Are there many types of malware?

There are quite a few, but let’s look at the most common – the malware you are most likely to encounter:

Viruses and Worms

Viruses and worms will spread from device to device once introduced into a network. They can destroy your files or make your computer run extremely slow, which is often your first indication of malware.

Trojans

Trojans, like the story of the Trojan Horse, pretend to be good programs, but they are a wolf in sheep’s clothing. They masquerade as legitimate software to trick users into downloading malicious software, which can be used to:

Capture data

Gain unauthorized access to networks

Delete, modify, or capture data

Harvest a device as part of a botnet

Spy on a device

Ransomware

While phishing is the most common form of attack, Ransomware tops the list of the malware phishing delivers. It will lock and encrypt your files, then demand a ransom in cryptocurrency to decrypt them.

How does malware get onto your device?

Malware finds its way onto your device and network in many ways Here are the top 3:

Phishing: Hackers can send emails with malicious links or attachments, with an enticement for you to click on them and release the malware. It’s wise to avoid opening emails from people you don’t know, and never EVER click on suspicious links or attachments. Hackers have even pretended to be divorce lawyers for the victim’s spouse – pretending to send divorce paperwork.

Downloading Bad Files: There is plenty of ‘fun’ sounding stuff available to download on the internet, but sometimes it might have malware in it. Be careful what you click on!

Going to Bad Websites: Sometimes, you don’t even have to download anything. Some websites can put malware on your device just by visiting them.

What are three signs of malware?

Malware can be sneaky. For the sake of brevity, we will take Ransomware out of the discussion because you usually know you have it the moment you get it. There are some signs to look for in the more stealthy varieties. The top 3 are:

Device Becomes Sluggish: This is the very first sign: If your device is acting really slow, it may have malware. Malware can also drain your battery.

Suspicious Pop-ups: Suddenly you are getting many more pop-ups than usual, even though you use blockers.

High Data Usage: If your internet speeds seem slower or you are using more data than normal, it may be malware. Some malwares can easily max-out your data storage.

How to check if you have malware?

Searching for malware on your device is easy:

Antivirus Software

You should already have this. Antivirus (AV) programs can scan your device for malware, then find and remove it

Examine Your Apps

Take stock of all the apps on your device and delete any that you don’t remember installing – or that you don’t use.

Task Manager

Your Task Manager is a very handy thing. Open it and look for programs that use a lot of resources or have weird names that you don’t recognize.

Browser

Look at your browser extensions and remove any that you do not use or recognize.

What to do when you get malware?

So, you’re pretty sure you have found malware. The first step is to not panic. Here are the steps you take next:

Run a Full AV Scan

Use your antivirus to run a full scan of your device. It’s wise to regularly do partial scans of your most used apps and files. A full scan takes a bit longer.

Update All Software

Whether you think you have malware or not, regular updating of your apps and software is critical for good cybersecurity. Make sure all of your programs and your operating system are current.

Change Passwords

Once you have malware, immediately change the passwords to all your valuable accounts.

Backup Your Data

You should already be doing this - ALWAYS. Back your important files up to a safe location, such as a cloud service.

How can malware be avoided?

The best scenario is to not to let malware onto your device at all. Here are your protections:

Keep Everything Up to Date

Like mentioned above, always keep your operating system and applications updated at all times.

Be Suspicious: Don’t Click!

Never click on any unusual email link or attachment, and don’t download any file unless you are sure it is safe.

Create Strongs Passwords

Make your password long and hard to guess. Use different passwords for each account. Check out our tips HERE.

Use AV (Antivirus) Software

This is a given. If you don’t have AV software in place, you are just asking for trouble. Keep good antivirus software on your device and run scans often.

Stay Safe Online!

If there were no internet, no malware could get in your system. Malware can be scary, but you can protect yourself. Always be careful online and keep your devices safe. If you need help with malware or want to learn more about online safety, contact us today. We’re here to help you stay safe in the digital world!