Malware: A War We Never Asked For

Remember ‘Minesweeper’? Well using the internet these days is exactly like playing Minesweeper, where any wrong click can lead to a disaster. Cybercrime, computer viruses and unlawful hacking have certainly become the hottest topic in the world of technology today. Although cybercrime and cyber hacking isn’t really a new term, malware have become the bane of cyber world and internet users.

What is the Worst That Could Happen?

Despite of the world now much more aware of malware threats and viruses, attacks have become more persistent than ever. Thus, increasing the demand for security software and anti-malware programs. While the humble Iloveyou bug was only meant to boggle users and was more of a prank, today’s viruses and malware have become far more devious.

It can steal data from your computer including passwords to various social media and bank accounts. Moreover, malware can also overwrite various files with malicious ones leading to entire data corruption and in the worst case scenario, can turn your computer in a zombie bot controlled by a criminal.

A Catalyst for Advancement?

Being developed by some of the most hardcore criminal organizations, Malware are akin to low payload cyberweapons that can badly damage your computer and cause financial and data loss. But you might be actually surprised how these pesky buggers have changed the way computers were built and led to various security and technological advancements.

The best example can be found for this situation is the Morris Worm that surfaced in 1988. It wasn’t only the first computer worm that spread through the internet, but was also one of the first reported cases of conviction for cybercrime. Although its creator insisted that he merely wanted to size the internet, the worm still exploited various vulnerabilities in various utilities and almost triggered what could’ve become a largescale denial of service attack in the 80s. The malware also led to the creation of CERT/CC (computer emergency response team) by DARPA.

How Bad Can It Be?

Image Source: pcrevue

While earlier strains of this computer threat were only aimed at pranking or scaring people, things have got far more serious now. As malware are created and distributed by cybercriminals, they are often looking to make financial gains by hacking into your bank accounts and credit card accounts. But sometimes, these persistent buggers can have far worse implications if they’re successful at infecting your computer. Listed below is a brief overview of some of the most devastating malware types.

1. Rootkit – Enters your computer through span emails and infected zip attachments. They usually sneak inside your system and are highly adept at being unrecognizable by security and anti-virus software.
2. Ransomware – Infects your system stealthily and encrypts several file types including important system files. This makes your system unusable to a significant degree. The user is then demanded an exorbitant ransom hence living up to its namesake.
3. Botnet – This malware can infect your computer and put it under the control of its creator. Computers that are infected by botnets are then used as a virtual network to stage various attacks such as DDoS and other hacks.
4. Spyware – as the name suggests, spyware is intended for spying on the victim’s computer and activities. This is used to keep track of a user’s online activities and retrieve various passwords and visited websites.

How Can We Protect Ourselves?

• Despite of how vulnerable we are when online, we can certainly protect our computers and data by taking some precautionary measures.
• We’ve already compared internet browsing to minesweeper and how you must be extremely cautious before clicking any suspicious link. Getting a reliable anti-virus and anti-malware protection is elementary.
• But what you should also do is to limit the availability of personal data that is saved on your computer. This not only keeps your personal details safe in case anything goes wrong, but will also curb the damage in case your computer is compromised.
• Similarly Setting up a cloud backup is also a good idea to ensure that your data never becomes a leverage against you.

Also Read: 5 Best Privacy Apps for Android to Improve Privacy and Security

Use Advanced System Protector

Instead of getting 5 different software to protect your internet, data and backup, you can simply install Systweak Advanced System Protector.

• Cleans any infected files or malware traces from your computer.
• Detects and removes any adware and toolbars that you never installed.
• Daily updation of spyware definitions to keep your system protected no matter what.
• Automatic scanning with scheduler for regular automatic cleanups.
• Removes all traces of malware that might have survived after initial cleanups.
• Real time protection against malware and Trojans while using the internet.

So do not wait before the menace of malware actually hits. Install Advanced System Protector today for a protected and secure internet experience.