Malware stands for malicious software and is designed to allow hackers to access unauthorised information on your computer, potentially opening you up to further cyber attacks. Which could lead to you being impacted by internet scams in the future, possibly leading to you financially losing out.
What Is Antivirus Software?
Antivirus software is a program that is designed to prevent viruses and malware from entering a computerised system. Antivirus software can detect any viruses or malware that have managed to infect the system and can neutralise the threat by removing them. Antivirus software is usually installed on a computer as a proactive measure to help avoid potential future threats such as:
- Keyloggers: Keyloggers are pieces of harmful malware that track the keystrokes when you type on your keyboard, periodically the keylogging software sends this data to a hacker that can sift through the data and find sensitive information such as passwords, which enables hackers to access your computer systems. Antivirus software should be able to detect keyloggers and prompt the user to order the removal of the malware.
- Browser Hijackers: Browser Hijackers are unwanted malware that changes the settings and permissions on your internet browser, browser hijackers can replace the search engine the browser uses with their own search engine. That may suck all the information the user enters into it, allowing the hacker to access passwords and sensitive information with ease.
- Trojan Horse Malware: Trojan horse malware is malicious software that is designed to look legitimate and seem trustworthy. However, it is hiding a secret – it wants to infect your computer with harmful malware.
- Worms: Computer worms are a type of malware that replicates itself onto other computers within the same network, they rely upon security failures of the first computer it infects within the network. Computer worms are then able to scan and infect other computers within the same network.
- Rootkit: Rootkits are a set of software tools designed to gain unauthorized access and control of a computer system. However, it is able to mask its existence meaning that it often can remain undetected unless your computer goes through a comprehensive full system scan.
- Spyware: Spyware is a type of malware that can be used to observe the computer users’ actions, malware can be used to watch users as they access sensitive content. Possibly meaning the hacker has access to information that they should not have access to.
- Adware: Adware is a type of software that displays advertising content to internet users, the developer of the software collects advertising revenue. The ads displayed are often annoying popup ads.
- Botnets: Botnet malware infects many computer systems and connects them up, utilising the power of each infected computer. Botnets can be used to perform denial of service attacks (DDOS), steal data, send spam and allow the hacker to access infected devices.
- Phishing: Phishing is an online scam where a hacker communicates with a potential victim with an email or text claiming to be someone trustworthy or somebody they may know. The hacker tries to get the victim to click on a link or provide sensitive information.
- Ransomware Malware: Ransomware malware can steal data from your computer and demand payment for the retrieval of your data, ransomware malware can also take photos and videos using your computer webcam and demand payment to avoid the content being uploaded onto the internet.
Conclusion
Ensuring that you regularly scan your computer for malware can reduce your chances of being negatively affected by malware on your computer systems.