Viruses, Hacking, and Ransomware: Everything you need to know!!

Viruses, Hacking, and Ransomware: Everything you need to know!!

We live in a digital world and 4 billion people out of 7 billion people are already online. Having access to the internet brings a lot of good things but at the same time, it also exposes you to computer Malware which not only compromise your privacy but it also compromises your computer. When it comes to malware it has a lot of types and we will cover all major types in this guide and we will share some effective tips which you can use to protect from them. Let’s get started.

What is Malware?

Malware is the software which is written to harm your computer. Malware comes in all forms but you can categorize them into three major categories.

  • Virus
  • Worms
  • Trojan

Virus

The virus is the most common threat which we face these days. You can either get the virus from Malicious website or you can get it from infected disk or USB drive. Viruses start working when you launch the malicious program and it keeps the low profile that’s why it is not easy to detect the viruses. Majority of the viruses comes with the payload time when they start infecting on the predefined payload time and affect your computer.

Worm

The worm is basically the destroyer and it copies itself from computer to another. The main purpose of worm is to destroy the files and all-important data in the host files. Usually, worms are used by the intelligence agencies to destroy the important files of hostile countries. The source of a computer worm is usually malicious networks.

Trojan

A trojan is also commonly used by hackers to get sensitive information. Usually, it comes with a useful application. For example, if you download the cracked version of the paid software such as Photoshop or any other paid software, there is a higher chance that it will come with a trojan. Now trojan can be used for many purposes, for example, banking trojan can be used to inject the fake transactions and steal the money from an online bank account.

These are the three major types of Malware but Malware are further divided into other types according to their behavior. Following are some further types of Malware.

  • Spyware
  • Adware
  • Rootkit
  • Bot
  • Ransomware

Spyware

Spyware is not very common but it is usually used to monitor the activities of the host computer. If your computer has the spyware then it will monitor every single activity on your computer and it may also use the webcam to monitor your activities in front of your computer.

Adware

Adware is also another very dangerous malware which pop-ups the ads on your computer screen. It is almost impossible to remove the adware as they usually store themselves in the Windows Directory and you can either remove them by getting the paid software or by uninstalling the windows. Adware also comes with a cracked version of the useful application and they usually require a lot of administrator approvals to rewrite the Windows Directory.

Rootkit

A rootkit is a stealth type of Malware which itself is not dangerous but it provides access to other malicious software. A rootkit is the most difficult to detect and it usually hides in the Windows Registry. The modern type of rootkit targets the Android Smartphones.

Ransomware

Ransomware is the relatively new name where the malicious software encrypts all the data in your computer and you can only decrypt it by transferring the ransom to hacker’s bank account. Usually, you get the ransomware through the phishing emails and downloads from malicious websites. Always make sure to double-check the website before downloading the files from that website.

What is Hacking?

Hacking is a process where a hacker gets unauthorized access to your computer or online accounts. These days it is very difficult to hack the social media accounts or bank accounts as institutions use the state -of- the -art security to protect their system. However, the end-users don’t have that much protection and that’s why they are easy to target. However, you can use the tips mentioned below to save your computer from hacking.

How to Protect your computer from Malware & being hacked?

In the above section, we have described the different types of malware but they are not exclusive. Sometimes, a malicious software comes with multiple threats like it could be spyware and the ransomware at the same time. So, it is very important to have the best security measures to protect your computer. Here are some effective tips to protect your computer from Malware & being hacked.

  • The first tip is to have good Antivirus on your computer. It is recommended to use the paid version of the Antivirus as normally it comes with more security features to protect your computer.
  • Antivirus can easily detect the viruses and other types of malware but it is always nice to have the dedicated anti-malware software on your computer. You can use the free version of the Malwarebytes which have excellent detection for malware such as trojans and adware.
  • Never download the cracked version of the software. Always use the trusted and official channels for downloading the software.
  • Make sure to regularly back up your important data to the external hard drive.
  • If you receive an email from your bank then make sure to double-check the email address as hackers normally use the emails for phishing. Also never provide your Debit/Credit card number, CVV or pin to anyone online even if they say they are from the Bank.

Bottom Line

These are the various types of Malware but the good thing is that you can protect your computer by simply following the above-mentioned tips. It is very important to have good Antivirus on your computer as it will protect your computer against the most threats. If you have any questions, please let us know in the comment section below. Also, visit our website for more useful guides.

For information on the protection Palm Tree Tech Center recommends please go to  https://palmtreetechcenter.com/services/viruses/  or call 407 796 5100 and talk to one of our experts

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