What is Malware and how do you detect it in your PC? Before we learn how to spot malware that has infected your computer, it’s good to know what malware actually is. This term has expanded to cover pretty much any kind of security risk that threatens your computer, including viruses, Trojan horses, phishing schemes and more.

However, the definition of malware simply states that it’s a piece of software created specifically to cause harm.

There are a huge number of malware threats in the world, and most of them can cause serious damage. The way you protect yourself from these security threats matters greatly. If you aren’t protected well enough, you could easily become a victim of malware and other kinds of viruses.

The Most Common Signs of Malware:

• You get random pop-ups, even when you’re not online. Pop-ups are annoying enough when you’re browsing the web, but if they start showing up when you’re offline, that can be a big red flag that something more sinister is happening. Most of these pop-ups want you to download some kind of antivirus software, which seems harmless enough by itself. But that’s how they get you. If you think your computer is telling you to download antivirus software, you’re more likely to trust the pop-ups. Then, once you click the download link, you unwittingly open the doors to more viruses.
• Your computer’s performance takes a hit. If your computer has always run well, but suddenly and unexpectedly starts slowing down, you may have a virus. Most malware threats run processes in the background, eating up your computer’s resources. Check to make sure you have plenty of memory available on your device and that you’re not running a bunch of programs in the background. If everything checks out on those fronts, but your computer is still slow, it’s possible that you have malware installed.
• Your computer is constantly crashing. Computers aren’t built to crash, and if they do, something really wrong happened. Sometimes crashes protect your data and the overall system, but when they happen frequently, you should start to get suspicious. Some viruses are built to corrupt essential system files your computer needs to run properly.
• Your built-in firewall and antivirus software have been disabled without your knowledge. Some malware targets your firewall and existing antivirus software to open the doors to other malware. If your security measures have been disabled without your knowledge or permission, you might want to check for viruses and malware.
• Your contact list is receiving communication from you that you never sent. If you’ve ever had a friend tell you that they’re getting strange emails from you that you don’t remember sending, you might be infected. Some malware takes over your accounts and sends out phishing emails to try and get your contacts, too.

How to Detect Malware: 

If you suspect your computer is infected with malware, there’s no time to waste. The longer you wait to address the issue, the more damage these little bugs can cause. So, how do you know for sure if your computer has gotten a virus?

One of the simplest and most inexpensive ways is to use a trusted antivirus software. These tools scan your entire computer, hunting for malicious programs and eliminating them once they’re found.

If you don’t have antivirus software and don’t want to buy any,  take the computer to a computer repair shop. The technicians at the shop can easily diagnose your problem, for a price. This price is typically more expensive than purchasing antivirus software.

How Did I Get Malware?

You might be wondering how you got malware on your computer. Malware comes in all shapes and sizes from every corner of the website. However, there are a few surefire ways that malware gets onto your device:

• Scam emails. One of the most common ways malware gets you is through scam emails. You receive an email that asks you to open and download an attachment, and the virus is piggybacking on the download. If you don’t know the sender and don’t know if it’s trustworthy, it’s best to leave email attachments untouched.
• Software downloads. Most software is downloaded directly from the internet today. Gone are the days of purchasing a CD and loading the software from a disc. Unfortunately, this opens the door to more malware and viruses. Untrustworthy websites often entice you with free downloads bundled with a bonus virus.
• Compromised websites. Visiting a website that has been hacked or otherwise compromised often delivers malware straight to your computer once you visit. Luckily, many web browsers will have built-in security that warns you of dangerous websites. Pay attention to these warnings and don’t click through to the website.
• USB flash drives and external hard drives. Plugging external drives into your computer is always a risk, especially if you don’t know where they’re coming from. This is especially true since most computers have an autorun feature that automatically accesses these drives as soon as you plug them.
• Avoid malware from external drives by disabling the autorun feature and running security scans on them before opening them up.

Now that you know the signs and how to detect malware on your PC, be safe! Malware, while it can sound harmless, can lead to significant problems down the road.

Computers and smart devices today are filled with vulnerabilities, which makes sense to question how antivirus software works. It’s hard to go a full day without hearing of another company going through a major data breach, and most of us have at least one friend who has gotten a computer virus.

With so many cybersecurity threats out there, how can you be sure your data is protected? As you probably know, antivirus software and firewalls are some of the best security tools you can use to protect yourself. If you don’t have a reliable antivirus software on your computer, don’t hesitate to purchase one.

How do you know if your antivirus software is working? And how exactly is a computer virus detected by antivirus software? Before we jump into the details of how antivirus software works, let’s consider why antivirus software companies are constantly improving their detection processes.

Why Good Detection Is so Important

An antivirus software is only as good as it’s virus detection. It does you absolutely no good paying $50 a year for protection that’s letting viruses into your devices as if they were old friends.

Good detection is so important because there are so many new malware and viruses released into the virtual world every single day. In fact, it’s estimated that nearly 1 million new malware threats are released every day.

How can antivirus software keep up? Let’s take a look at the ways your antivirus software detects malware and viruses and keeps them away from your computer.

Antivirus Software: The Pro Scanner.

Before we get into the specifics, it’s important to understand a general sense of how antivirus software works. Instead of going out to the web and hunting for viruses, your antivirus software only works on scanning your computer. It monitors incoming and outgoing files to ensure they’re safe before letting them touch anything on your computer. Then, if it identifies a threat, it moves in for the kill and eliminates the malware altogether.

Scanning sounds simple enough, but there are different ways of scanning your computer. This is necessary to protect against both old and new threats alike.

Here are the most common ways a computer virus is detected by an antivirus software:

Conventional Scans:

This is where antivirus software started out, and it continues to be the standard method of scanning today. With conventional scans, your antivirus software scans all the contents on your computer, including its disks and files. It’s looking specifically for any code that contains known virus data.

Historically, when there were only a few viruses floating around the web, this was enough to protect most computers. Unfortunately, with the advent of so many new viruses every day, antivirus software needed to evolve. It still performs these conventional scans, but it has to combine the method with other types of scans.

Change Detection Scans:

 An executable (.EXE) is a file that your computer runs to perform a certain task. Change detection scans monitor executables as they come on to your computer and then periodically in the future to ensure they aren’t changing when you’re not looking.

Inoculation:

This method of detecting viruses mimics change detection scans, except for all the directories on your computer. The inoculation method periodically scans all your directories to identify changes that have been made without your permission. If changes are detected, it locates the virus and quarantines it for you.

Sandbox:

One of the new features of antivirus software is called sandboxing. In the tech world, a sandbox is a virtual environment that is completely detached from your real computer but looks and acts almost exactly like it.

Antivirus software with sandboxing capability identify threats and put them immediately in the sandbox for further identification. It then runs the file to see if exhibits malicious behavior without actually affecting your computer. If it’s a virus, then the antivirus can eliminate it without any harm done.

Heuristic Scans:

Heuristic scans also examine executables, just like change detection scans. However, instead of monitoring for change, heuristic scanners look for virus specific code within the executable file.

Behavior-based Scans:

Some of the worst viruses are spyware, which runs quietly in the background of your computer. Spyware sends your information to another person, usually through keyloggers.

Behavior-based scanners run in the background as well, watching and evaluating all the commands coming and going from your computer. If it identifies any malicious behavior, like information being sent or collected without your permission, it narrows down the source and eliminates the spyware.

Data Mining:

Data mining is a relatively new technique used by antivirus software to detect computer viruses. Many antivirus software struggles to detect new threats, especially on the day they’re released. Data mining gathers information from a program or file it is monitoring and compares that information to know data collected from viruses. It can then determine if the program or file is a threat based on that comparison.

Whitelisting:

Whitelisting involves the process of manually approving certain applications and downloads as safe. Anything that isn’t whitelisted would be flagged by your antivirus software and quarantined as a virus. This is a simple, yet broad technique to prevent viruses from infecting your computer. This is a process often used by companies to prevent their employees from infecting a secure network with a virus coming from a poor download.

False Positive Prevention:

Many viruses are getting smart enough to trick antivirus software by making the software think the virus is one of the good guys. Your antivirus may start thinking legitimate programs are viruses, which is called a false positive.

False positive prevention helps prevent viruses that act similar to good programs from ever infecting your computer. Many antivirus software companies are actively working on minimizing the number of false positives their software gets regularly.

Now that you know how viruses are detected by antivirus software, do yourself a favor and check out the best antivirus software available. As the old saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

If you own a computer, you have likely also purchased and installed an antivirus software to protect it from being infected by viruses and malware. Protecting your computer with antivirus software is one of the most important things you can do to keep your personal information safe.

But do you need antivirus software for your smartphone?

Your smartphone is essentially a computer that you can carry around with you in your pocket, with all the access to the internet that your computer has. Since malware and viruses come from the internet, you may be wondering if you should protect your phone in the same way as your computer. Do you need antivirus software on your smartphone?

So let’s take a look at what kind of protection you might need for your phone.

iPhone/iOS

You’ve probably heard at some point in your life that Mac computers don’t require any kind of antivirus protection. This isn’t entirely true—it’s always a good idea to use antivirus software on your computer, even if it is a Mac—but these computers are more secure than their Windows counterparts. So, is the same true for their mobile cousins?

iPhones use an operating system called iOS, which is also produced by Apple. This OS has been created “with security at its core,” according to Apple. And they’re right. It’s incredibly hard to get a virus on your iPhone.

Apple takes a walled garden approach when it comes to their App Store and they prevent a lot of infection with their in-depth scrutiny of every app available on their platform. In fact, they don’t even allow antivirus apps on their App Store.

However, like every other connected device, you can still be affected by phishing schemes and adware. As such, it’s always important to practice safe browsing habits and not give your information out to people you don’t know.

If you jailbreak your iPhone, you also willingly open yourself to dangers. Jailbreaking an iPhone removes a lot of the security precautions Apple has placed in iOS and allows you to download apps from untrustworthy sources. It’s best to keep your iPhone in its stock configuration.

Android

Where Apple manufactures both its phone and the operating system, the Android operating system is produced by Google and works on a variety of different smartphones produced by many different companies. This can make for some interesting security concerns.

Android app stores are also historically less strict with what they allow on their store, especially when compared to Apple.

As such, Android dominates the market in antivirus software for smartphones. All of the major antivirus companies are on the Android marketplace and provide apps.

Ransomware has become more common on Android devices recently. This is where a portion of your system or your entire system is held hostage by an attacker, who then requires you to pay up before unlocking it for you. Oftentimes they don’t even unlock your phone after you pay.

This is why it’s especially important for you to download some kind of antivirus protection for your Android devices. As with any app purchase, make sure you are getting a legitimate piece of software by reading reviews and doing your research.

Windows

Windows phones aren’t nearly as popular as iPhones and Android devices, which means they’re less likely to be targeted. They also use a sandbox environment that is harder to exploit than other devices.

When Microsoft first announced that they were going to be producing a crossover Windows 10 operating system for their mobile devices, many people were worried that this would open the door for more viruses to affect their Windows phones. However, now that it has been out for a couple years, there hasn’t been any noticeable security threats due to the change.

To best protect your Windows Phone, continue to observe common sense security practices. Don’t fall for phishing schemes by freely handing out your personal information and avoid suspicious websites. If you don’t trust an email or link, it’s best not to open it.

BlackBerry

The number of people using BlackBerry devices is significantly less than even those who use Windows Phones. As such, it’s even less of a target for hackers, mostly because it just isn’t profitable for them. Again, like with other devices, this doesn’t mean there aren’t viruses out there targeting BlackBerry devices.

You may still run into malicious apps on the BlackBerry app marketplace since it’s not as strict as the Apple App Store, so be careful what kind of apps you download, especially if it comes from a suspicious developer and doesn’t have good reviews. 

Protecting Your Phone

Protecting your smartphone is as simple as being safe online. If you practice good security techniques like safe browsing and being suspicious of unknown links and email attachments, you’ll likely prevent any attacks from happening.

Overall it doesn’t hurt to have some kind of antivirus software installed if available. Remember to only download reputable apps from trusted antivirus software companies.

Do you need antivirus software for iPhones? This question comes up often here at AntivirusBasics. If you own any kind of technology, you know the many different ways something can go wrong with your devices. This is especially true of computers. The connected world is full of hackers, malware and viruses, all looking to harm you in some way. As such, it’s natural that one might also worry about their mobile devices.

Since your iPhone is a mini computer that you can carry in your pocket, doesn’t it stand to reason that it can be infected with a computer virus?

Do You Need Antivirus for iPhone? 

First, we need to look at the vulnerability of smartphones in general. While these devices have to call and texting functionality, they share the same kind of processes as computers. You can download and install apps, access the internet and perform a myriad of different functions to make your life more convenient. Because of this, it is possible for smartphones to get viruses.

Hackers and other criminals know you keep a lot of information on your phone, so they’re just as much a target as your home computer.

So, what’s the deal with iPhones and viruses? Are iPhones more or less likely to get infected than Android devices? iPhones use an operating system called iOS which is designed and maintained by Apple. Having a company that creates both the phone and the operating system is helpful because they’ve specifically designed their phones to be more secure than others.

Apple has said that it “designed the iOS platform with security at its core.”  Since iOS is designed to keep apps completely separate from the operating system, security is higher overall.

Apple also requires apps to go through an intense approval process before they ever get onto the App Store, with the goal of preventing malicious apps from being downloaded to phones.

Security Apps for iPhone

If Apple has created an extra-secure device, why are there so many different security apps available through the variety of antivirus companies? You may find that many of these apps simply provide functionality that you already have on your iPhone. Some of the security apps offer remote phone locating and deletion (in case you ever lose your phone).

But Apple already gives you a similar option with Find My iPhone. Other apps provide things like photo and data backup, which are also already covered with Apple’s iCloud functionality.

When you look at security apps on the App Store, consider the extra benefits they really provide and decide if you truly need them.

This can save you the headache of having one more app on your phone that’s constantly sending you notifications throughout the day.

How to Protect Your iPhone

While iPhones are typically more secure than Android devices, they aren’t completely immune to malicious software. It may be harder to infect these i-devices, but that doesn’t mean hackers aren’t trying.

So, what can you do to keep your iPhone protected against malicious attacks?

• Keep iOS updated – Always keep all your devices updated, including your mobile devices. This is one of the easiest, but most effective ways to prevent viruses and malware from infecting your computer and iPhone. As manufacturers identify potential security threats, they release updates to their operating systems that protect against those threats.
• We recommend updating iOS as soon as it is available to you. As soon as the update is available, iOS will notify you through a pop-up box. Tap “Install Now” to get the update started immediately. If you can’t install it right then, tap “Later”, and the phone will update itself sometime during the night if plugged into a power source.

Avoid jailbreak and other hacks

• Since Apple has designed iOS to be extra secure, it lacks some of the customization features that people who use Android and other phones are used to. This has led to the creation of hacks that “unlock” that functionality in the iPhone. This process is known as jailbreaking.
• Most people in the jailbreaking community will tell you that it’s completely safe, but there are plenty of risks associated with the process. First, if you do something wrong, you can “brick” your iPhone. This means you completely disable your phone, essentially turning it into a brick.
• When you jailbreak your phone, you can download apps that haven’t been vetted through the App Store approval process. This opens your phone up to the possibility of getting infected by malware in the form of a suspicious app. Jailbreaking may be cool in appearance, but it’s typically not worth the risk.
• Don’t plug your phone into untrusted computers. Plugging your iPhone into a computer is one of the easiest ways to have information stolen from you. If you don’t trust a computer, don’t use it for your iPhone, even for charging purposes.
• When you plug your phone into a computer, it will ask you if you trust that computer. Always click no, unless you actually trust the computer and know it won’t siphon information off your phone.
• Don’t give permission for apps to be installed. Only install apps directly from the Apple store after you have navigated there yourself. There are websites that will forcefully re-direct you to fake App Stores or offer direct downloads of apps. Avoid these forced downloads at all times.
• Avoid suspicious websites and emails. iPhones aren’t immune to phishing schemes through suspicious websites and emails. Unfortunately, Siri can’t prevent you from typing whatever you want into a text box or email. When your browsing or reading emails on your iPhone, employ common internet safety tactics to avoid phishing schemes and other scams that rely on you willingly providing your own information to scammers.

So there you have it! While you might not need an antivirus for iphone, it still makes sense to be vigilant to prevent issues down the road.

Removing an android virus doesn’t have to be scary or hard. As you probably know, all computers are susceptible to viruses and other kinds of malware. Everyone who owns a computer needs to be aware of the inherent security risks of owning a computer and keeping personal information stored on it. The same is true for smartphones. 

Since the explosive proliferation of smartphones, hackers and thieves have been looking for ways to exploit their vulnerabilities.

Did you know that more than a million new viruses are released to the world every single day? That’s an insanely high number and something that should concern you, especially if you aren’t taking the appropriate precautions.

Can Android Phones Get Viruses?

You may not have been aware that viruses and malware were even a threat to Androids and other kinds of smartphones. But if you consider the issue at hand, you’ll realize that smartphones are just mini computers that you carry around in your pocket, bag or backpack. It’s natural that someone would find ways to exploit the vulnerabilities in mobile devices.

In short, yes. Android phones can get viruses. Fortunately enough, viruses on smartphones aren’t as prolific as computer viruses, but they still exist. As such, it’s especially important that you protect your Android smartphone just as much as you would protect your computer.

Prevention is the Best Medicine

Before we jump into explaining how you can remove a virus from your smartphone if you ever get one, let’s look at the ways you can prevent it from happening in the first place. As always, prevention is the best medicine when it comes to malware.

Preventing viruses from infecting your phone follows many of the same principles you employ when protecting your home computer. Using common sense when using your phone will get you a lot farther than anything else.

Consider these tips:

• Don’t visit suspicious websites. The internet is full of suspicious and malicious websites. Some websites exist solely to take your information or infect your phone with viruses. As you browse the web, trust your phone’s web browser when it tells you a site is unsafe. These built-in protection tools can help you avoid a whole world of trouble.
• Don’t give away your information to strangers. Unfortunately, there aren’t any Nigerian princes looking to give you free money. It should go without saying, but don’t give your personal information away to people you don’t know. This is the fastest way to open yourself to viruses, malware, and identity theft.
• Don’t download apps from untrustworthy sources. When you want to download an app, do it through the appropriate channels. The Google Play store and other Android app marketplaces typically employ some kind of vetting process for any app that is made available for download. However, there are some malicious apps that still make it through. Read reviews and avoid suspicious looking apps.
• Don’t plug your phone into a stranger’s computer. When an Android phone is plugged into a computer, it creates a bridge between the two devices across which data can pass. You may only connect phones to computers to download photos or charge your phone, but that doesn’t mean the computer can’t send something back. Avoid plugging your phone into public computers. In fact, it’s probably best you avoid plugging into anyone’s computer but your own.
• Download an antivirus app. There are tons of antivirus apps on the Google Play store and other Android app stores. These apps often come from major antivirus software companies and can be trusted fully. With these apps installed on your phone, you can rest assured you are providing an extra layer of security for your devices. Here at AntivirusBasics.com we have found the best antivirus tools for your Android phone.  

The Top 5 Best Ways to Remove Android Viruses

Hopefully, you never have to deal with a virus on your Android device, but it’s the unfortunate reality for many people. If you get infected with a virus, not all hope is lost. You can still recover your phone and get rid of the virus. Let’s take a look at the top five ways to remove a virus from your Android smartphone:

1. Run an Antivirus Scan: If you have an antivirus app installed on your phone, take the time to perform a full system scan through the app. Most antivirus software runs quietly in the background, but the virus may have infected an area of the system that isn’t regularly scanned. Running an antivirus scan can help identify, quarantine and eliminate the threat altogether. Once the scan is done, you’ll be able to see a summary of what the antivirus found. Need help? We’ve found the best Android Antivirus tools.
2. Uninstall the Malicious App: Many viruses get onto your phone through malicious apps. If you notice your phone acting strangely or slowing down immensely after downloading a certain app, don’t hesitate in deleting the app in question. You should also do some online research to find out if other people have had issues with the same app. There are plenty of Android forums online where people like to talk about these things.
3. Restart Your Phone: Have you turned it on and off again? This phrase is said often jokingly, but there’s an immense amount of truth behind it. Sometimes all your phone needs is a good restart. Restarting the phone can clear temporary files, which is where many viruses live. The best case scenario is that you don’t have a virus at all, but rather a temporary bug that’s cleared once you restart your phone.
4. Restore Your Phone from an Earlier Backup: If you aren’t backing up your phone, you should be. Plug it into your computer and back it up to your physical hard drive. You can also back up your information to the cloud through certain apps and providers. If you get infected with a virus, you can restore your phone to a previous backup. Be aware that this doesn’t always work, since your backup file may also contain the virus.
5. Factory Reset: If all else fails, you can always resort to a full factory reset for your Android device. This erases everything on your phone and gives you a fresh install of the operating system. You should only use this technique as a last resort, and if you do, make sure your important things like photos have already been saved somewhere else.

Remember, prevention is generally the best way to ensure your Android device stays virus and malware free.

One of the scariest types of viruses in the internet security is called a trojan virus. Sometimes they are also referred to as a trojan horse. If you remember your literature history from middle school, this name should ring a bell!

In Greek mythology, during the Trojan war, the Greeks constructed a massive wooden horse and hid soldiers inside to trick their opponents in the city of Troy.

Trojan viruses work in a similar manner. They act like legitimate applications to get into your computer and get past your defenses. Once they’re inside, they release the malicious code and start doing damage.

Viruses, malware, ransomware and phishing schemes are abundant online, and if you’re not careful, you might get infected with one. This is why it’s so important for you to have the proper security set up on your computer.

Owning a computer is a wonderful tool that gives you access to so many different kinds of information that you wouldn’t have otherwise. Unfortunately, this access also opens your computer up to a variety of security threats.

There are several types of trojan viruses that you need to watch out for, each has a different purpose. Let’s take a look at the different trojan viruses and what they do.

Types of Trojan Viruses

Knowing what kind of trojan viruses are out there can help you better protect your computer against them. These are the most common types of trojan viruses:

• Backdoor Trojan – This is probably the most common type of trojan virus. Many experts believe that the first trojan viruses were this type. These viruses infect your computer which then opens the “backdoor” of your system to the attacker. They can then take control over your system, enabling them to do or steal whatever they want.Today backdoor trojans are most commonly used to group together many infected computers to form a botnet. A botnet can be used for further criminal purposes.
• Ransom Trojan – Ransom trojans are newer kinds of trojan viruses that have become a real problem. Once it’s on your computer, it takes control over a certain part of your computer or locks down certain files so you can’t access them anymore. Then, the attacker contacts you through the virus and gives you the option of paying money to unlock your computer again. Many times, the attacker still doesn’t restore full functionality, even after you’ve paid the ransom!
• Rootkit Trojan – Rootkit trojans target administrator access, or even super administrator on your computer. Once they get on your system, they typically work to conceal other malicious activities from being detected. Attackers use rootkit trojans so they can infect your computer with more viruses without you or your antivirus software from noticing. These types of trojan viruses are exceptionally dangerous because they can infect everything on your computer – including the operating system itself.
• GameThief Trojan – Online gamers consider themselves to be pretty well-versed in the world of technology and online security. Unfortunately, they are a major target for online thieves. Most game services require gamers to store their personal and financial information online so they can pay for new games or continuing subscriptions. GameThief trojans targets online games with the intent of stealing this financial and personal information.
• Distributed Denial of Service (DDOS) Trojan – A distributed denial of service attack is a trojan virus that targets specific websites in order to overload their services with multiple requests at once. This, in turn, slows the website down and can even shut them down for a period of time. A DDoS trojan virus conducts these attacks from your computer to overwhelm certain websites so the origin of the attacks remains unknown.
• Downloader Trojan – Downloader trojans are pretty self-explanatory. These viruses exist solely to download other malicious programs and viruses to your computer. Downloader trojans try to operate as quietly as possible on your system so you don’t notice them and they can continue to download more to your computer.
• Banker Trojan – Banker trojans live on your computer and watch your browsing habits to identify when you use your credit card to make an online purchase or log in to your banking accounts. Once you do any of these things, the virus then logs the information and sends it to the attacker.
• And many more… These aren’t the only kinds of trojan viruses out there in the world, not by far. Trojan viruses come in all shapes and sizes, but most of them have a single malicious purpose.

How to Protect Your Computer from Trojan Viruses

As you can tell, there are lots of different ways your computer can be infected by a trojan virus. But with so many different viruses coming at you from so many different directions, how can you stay protected?

One of the easiest ways to protect your computer from trojan viruses is to install a robust and reliable antivirus software. These tools will scan your computer for any instances of trojan viruses and quarantine them immediately if found.

You should also practice safe browsing while you are browsing online. Avoid downloading files from unknown sources and don’t visit suspicious websites.

Your browser has built-in security features and often warns you when you’re about to do something potentially dangerous. It’s in your best interest to follow these warnings.

Do You Have a Trojan Virus?

 Since trojan viruses can be so sneaky, it’s helpful to learn how to tell if your computer has a trojan virus. Fortunately, there are many ways to tell if there’s a trojan on your device, wreaking havoc and causing problems.

First, occasionally check to see if there are applications on your computer that you don’t remember downloading. Trojans often download suspicious software to your computer without your knowledge.

Next, consider your computer’s overall performance. Have you noticed a dip in speed? Are there random pop-ups directing you to download other kinds of software? If you’ve noticed any of these things, your computer may be infected with a trojan.

If you have antivirus software, take the time to perform a full scan of your computer. It’s possible that the antivirus software missed the trojan when it initially got installed on your computer. During a full scan, your antivirus scans every portion of your system and can find even the most hidden trojan viruses.

Does Windows 10 need antivirus software? This is a question we receive often.

If you aren’t well versed in the world of cybersecurity, you might think you can get away without any kind of antivirus software on your computer. This just isn’t true anymore.

When your computer is constantly connected to the internet and outside world, it’s eventually bound to run into a virus or other kind of malware.

In fact, there are more viruses and people trying to steal your data or harm your computer now than there ever has been before!

These threats target any operating system they can, and Windows 10 is no different. So, how do you go about protecting your Windows 10 computer? Does Windows 10 even need added protection or has Microsoft built it into the operating system?

The release of Windows 10 did a lot to advance Microsoft’s offerings and make it more secure. In this article, we dig into this operating system’s security and what you can do to better protect yourself.

Does Windows 10 Provide Any Virus Defense?

First, it’s important to understand the kind of security Windows 10 already provides. Starting with the release of Windows 8, Microsoft started including a built-in antivirus software in all machines using their OS. This software is called Windows Defender.

Windows Defender provides all the functionality of a basic antivirus software, but does it hold its own when compared to the competition? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of Windows Defender.

Windows Defender Pros and Cons

When you purchase a computer with Windows 10 pre-installed, you’ll need to make a decision about your malware protection plan. At this point, you have two choices: continue using Windows Defender or purchase a different antivirus software. The best way to make that choice is by looking at the pros and cons of Windows Defender.

Windows Defender is great because:

• It’s free, which is a huge bonus for those on a budget. But, you may wonder, don’t you get what you pay for? This is true in many cases, but Windows Defender is a pretty solid antivirus software even in spite of the non-existent price tag. If you don’t have the budget to purchase a yearly antivirus subscription, you can’t go wrong using Windows Defender.
• It’s easy to use. Windows Defender offers an intuitive and extra-simple interface. If you’re already familiar with the way Windows works as a whole, you’ll have no problem using Defender.
• It’s unobtrusive. This antivirus software runs quietly in the background, performing scans and monitoring applications without you knowing and without slowing your computer down. This is a huge plus, especially compared to other antivirus software that constantly pester you with upgrade offers and pop-up ads.
• It doesn’t require a lengthy setup process. Since it’s integrated into the OS, Defender is already protecting your computer from the first time you turn it on.

Windows Defender suffers because:

• It doesn’t offer a huge feature set. Defender doesn’t offer a ton of extra or “premium” features that many other antivirus software options provide. This is a basic, no-frills antivirus software that keeps viruses away and not much else.
• It has spotty accuracy identifying newer types of malware. Windows Defender was built to protect yourself against the most common viruses and security threats, but it struggles when it comes to the newer stuff.
• It isn’t very customizable. Many antivirus software options give you the ability to customize scans to target certain file sets or areas on their computer. Sticking to its ease of use and overall simplicity, Windows Defender doesn’t give you much room when it comes to customizability.

How to Choose an Antivirus Software

Moving away from Windows Defender is necessary if you want to protect yourself against malware and other advanced types of malware. But there are a ton of choices on the market. Let’s take a look at how you can choose the right antivirus software for your computer.

1. Set a Budget – Before you even start looking at the different software on the market, it’s important to set your budget. Depending on the plan you choose, antivirus software can get incredibly expensive, especially if you want to protect multiple devices.Most antivirus companies charge by yearly subscriptions, with continual updates to your software. Expect to pay around $30 – $50 a year for a basic subscription and upwards of $120 per year for premium protection.
2. Determine What You Need – Are you looking for basic protection or do you also need ID theft protection, VPN services or other advanced security features? Most antivirus companies offer both basic and premium plans. Consider what extra features you absolutely need or want. Some companies let you pick bonus features in a la carte style, but most bundle premium features into higher-priced packages.
3. Do Your Research – Don’t pick the first antivirus software that pops up on your Google search. Do your research into the software you’re purchasing. The more research you put into finding a good antivirus software, the better you’ll feel in the long run.

4. Test the Product/MBG – Once you’ve purchased a new antivirus software, you’ll want to make sure it works properly. This can be difficult since the antivirus should be quiet if it’s doing its job right. But there are some things you can look for. Your antivirus shouldn’t slow down your computer. If you notice a significant performance decrease after installation, you can be fairly certain the new software is causing problems. Open the software’s interface and see if you can navigate around without a problem. There will be times that you’ll access the actual software, and you want it to be as easy as possible.

The Verdict

If you’re serious about protecting your computer in today’s world, Windows Defender just won’t cut it. There are too many different kinds of malware and security threats that Defender isn’t equipped to handle.

That being said, you shouldn’t dismiss Defender entirely. Microsoft has produced a solid and reliable product for free and already integrated into your computer. If you’re on a tight budget or only require basic antivirus features, you can’t go wrong with Windows Defender.

Do Mac Computers need antivirus software? The answer to this question is deeper than it may seem.

Since the spread of personal computers throughout the general public, hackers and thieves have been trying to find exploits for their own personal gain. Most everyone knows that it’s vital to install some kind of antivirus software or other types of protection on their Windows-based computers, but they hesitate when it comes to Macs.

Can Macs Get Viruses?

To find out if Macs need antivirus software, you first need to know if Macs can even get viruses. The simple answer is yes. Like any other type of technology, Macs have weak points that viruses and other malware can exploit.

So, why do people think that Macs are immune from viruses? This particular thought probably comes from the fact that there used to be very few Macs in the general public. Due to their higher price point, Macs were purchased a lot less than Windows computers, which often carried a cheaper price point.

In today’s world, more and more consumers are purchasing Apple computers—especially laptops—which gives hackers more incentive to create viruses to steal information from those computers.

Known Mac Viruses

Now that you know your Mac can get infected with malware, you should know what kinds of viruses are out there. These are some of the most common Mac viruses:

• OSX/MaMi – this malware takes your internet traffic and re-routes it to malicious servers, where your sensitive information can be intercepted. It can also take over your computer in certain ways, like taking screenshots, downloading files and executing commands. You can protect against this by using a firewall to block the malicious redirection.
• Word Macro Viruses – Microsoft Office applications have a feature where you can install macro programs that run automatically when you open the application. Viruses can be embedded within these macro programs and install malicious software on your computer. Mac gives you a warning if you attempt to open a document or file that has macros, so be extra vigilant if you’re opening a document from an unknown source that has macros enabled.
• KeRanger – this is the first instance of ransomware for Macs. Historically, Mac users haven’t had to worry about ransomware until KeRanger was discovered. Ransomware holds your sensitive information hostage until you pay a ransom to the person who put it on your computer. Apple has already taken steps to ensure this ransomware is disabled, but you should ensure all your applications and operating system are up to date.
• Crossrider – this is a newer virus making its rounds. This infects your Mac computer through a fake version of the Adobe Flash Player installer. If you download the fake installer, it installs a variety of different malware on your computer, all used for the purpose of stealing your information. The best way to protect yourself against this virus is to only download Flash Player updates from the Adobe website.
• Meltdown/Spectre – these viruses aim to exploit flaws in Intel chips. Essentially, these viruses are implemented to steal sensitive data from your computer. Apple has already addressed these viruses and released security patches to protect your computers from them. Remember to keep your system up-to-date as soon as updates and patches are released.

How Apple Responds to Viruses 

As a company, Apple is dedicated to producing and maintaining ultra-secure computers and mobile device.  They have built extra security into their software and hardware, but that doesn’t mean they are immune to viruses altogether. So, how does Apple respond to security threats to do arise?

The company has hired a dedicated security research team that is constantly identifying new and emerging threats that could infect Mac systems. Unfortunately, this research relies almost solely on user-generated data. Not everyone reports to Apple, so some threats can be missed.

To make up for this gap in data, Apple offers a reward of up to $200,000 for anyone who successfully discovers serious threats.

When a virus or other kind of security threat is identified, Apple immediately works on a solution. This typically involves some kind of software update to the macOS operating system or specific applications. This is why it’s essential to always keep your computer up to date. If you wait on performing necessary updates, you’re opening your computer up to potential security threats. 

How to Prevent Viruses on Your Mac

Fixes are excellent solutions to existing problems, but the best protection comes from prevention. How exactly can you prevent viruses from infecting your Mac computer? Let’s take a look at the things you should be doing to protect your Mac from viruses.

• Install an Antivirus Software – as discussed above, Apple has pre-built extra security into all of their software and hardware. However, this doesn’t mean that you won’t benefit from an antivirus software. There are plenty of products on the market that can give you that extra boost in security that you need when you are browsing the internet and shopping online. The best antivirus software companies make Mac versions of their products. If you want an antivirus on your Mac, consider Intrusta, McAfee, Kaspersky or Avast.
• Stay Updated – one of the best ways to stay protected is to keep your software and computer updated. Most malware and ransomware aims to exploit bugs in software. As such, software companies are constantly releasing security patches and other kinds of updates. If you hesitate to update, you’re asking for trouble.

• Be Cautious Online – phishing schemes prey on unsuspecting victims who can’t tell the difference between legitimate downloads or emails. AS you browse the web, stay extra cautious of anything that comes from an unknown source. IF you have any kind of hesitation when it comes to a request for information, a suspicious download or public Wi-Fi network, exercise caution and don’t proceed with the action.

Macs aren’t immune to viruses, but they’re definitely safer than other kinds of computers. It’s helpful to have an antivirus installed on your Apple products, but it’s more important to exercise caution when browsing online. Stay safe!

Today’s world of constantly evolving and changing. You might follow all the tech blogs and get excited about the real-world impact these changes can have. Advances in medicine, education and other industries rely on this ever-changing technology.

Unfortunately, this change can also bring about more security threats than ever before. People looking to steal your identity or information also use new technology to take advantages of unsuspecting victims.

The bulk of this harm is caused by malware on personal computers. But what is malware, and how do you protect yourself against it? Let’s dive into malware and the most harmful kinds so you can learn how to defend against it.

What is Malware?

 Simply put, malware is a piece of software that was created with malicious intent. After it’s installed on your computer, it works to steal your information or damage your system in some way.

 Malware is one of the biggest topics in the cyber security world, and it’s easy to see why. In the last few years, the presence of malware has grown exponentially. More malware is coming to light that has never been seen before.

But what are the most harmful types of malware? The more you know about malware and the biggest offenders, the more you can defend against them.

In this post, we’ve identified the top 15 types of malware:

1. Ransomware – Ransomware is a fairly new kind of malware that is wreaking havoc on people’s lives and computers. Once it’s installed on your computer, it typically denies you access to your most important data unless you pay a ransom. Many times, the attacker does not restore access to the data, even after you’ve paid the ransom. You can protect yourself against ransomware with a reliable antivirus, regular updates and extra vigilance. Don’t give software administrator privileges unless its software you trust.
2. Spyware – Spyware’s name is self-explanatory. It’s a piece of malware that, once installed on your computer, spies on you. More specifically, it collects information as you enter it into your computer, either online or in personal files. Spyware can also act to significantly decrease your overall system performance. You’ll know you have spyware installed on your computer if you experience constant pop-ups, site redirections and unexpected toolbars appearing in your web browser. You can prevent infection by remaining vigilant online and not clicking on suspicious links or downloading suspicious files.
3. Trojan – Trojans are one of the most classic forms of malware. They were one of the earliest types of malware. Trojans disguise themselves as much as possible within other types of software. Their purpose is to open a door to other types of malware without being detected, which is what makes them so dangerous. Trojans need your permission to run on your computer. As such, it’s important that you not open suspicious email attachments or run unknown software.
4. Exploit – Exploits are malware that specifically targets bugs or weaknesses in your computer. Since these often target operating systems or specific kinds of software, they are used to control those items without your consent. If an exploit on your operating system is used, you could potentially lose all your sensitive data. The best way to defend against an exploit is to keep your computer’s operating system and software up to date always. Companies are constantly on the lookout for bugs and errors so they can release security patches as soon as possible.
5. Botnets – Botnets are another type of malware that’s fairly new in the cybersecurity space. Simply put, botnets are a network of infected devices to spread malware at an exponentially larger scale. If your computer is part of a botnet, it is being used to spread malware, send spam or overload websites, activities you don’t want to be a part of. Antivirus software is one of the best tools to prevent your computer from becoming a part of a botnet. You should also follow standard prevention techniques like not clicking on suspicious links or downloading unknown software.
6. KeyLogger – Keyloggers are one of the scariest kinds of malware, due to the fact that they can record your typically-protected information like passwords, usernames, bank account numbers and more. Keyloggers track everything you type into your computer and attackers use them to steal your extra-sensitive information to access information that is usually protected by someone else, like your bank or software company. Follow standard online security practices to avoid getting infected with a keylogger. Many antivirus software options also include extra measures like onscreen keyboards to prevent keyloggers from tracking your keystrokes.
7. Phishing – Phishing is one of the most common types of malware out there, but it’s also one of the most effective. Phishers use email or web interfaces to trick you into voluntarily giving them your data. If you’ve ever heard of a Nigerian prince asking for money, you’ve likely heard of phishing schemes. Use common sense to avoid phishing schemes. Don’t give your information out to people you don’t know and avoid opening emails from people you don’t know.
8. Adware – Adware uses your personal information to personalize the advertisements you see online. While this doesn’t seem malicious on the surface, they can be a gateway to other kinds of malware, and they track your personal browsing habits. Adware can also slow down your computer. To prevent adware, block popups and use antivirus software. You can also use a software firewall to keep adware from following you around.
9. Rootkit – Rootkits give an attacker full, administrative control of your system without you knowing about it. They hide deep within your system, and they’re difficult to detect, which is what makes them so harmful. It’s difficult to protect yourself fully against rootkits, but you can and should employ basic computer safety principles. Maintain a current version of your antivirus software and ensure your operating system and all your software is up to date.
10. Worms – Worms are malicious pieces of software that act much like their real-world counterparts. They burrow into your computer and start replicating themselves to spread the infection and steal more information. Some worms leave behind more malware to cause damage to your computer. Worms infect your computer through vulnerabilities in out-of-date software, so be sure to keep everything updated to prevent them from getting to you.

You may not think of it on a regular basis but protecting your computer from virtual threats is one of the most important things you can be doing. Identity and personal information theft are on the rise, especially when it comes to that information being stored and easily accessible on your computer.

If you’re not protecting your personal computer and mobile devices, you are more likely to get infected with malware than not. It’s just the truth in today’s world. You may even get infected with malware with the appropriate security precautions. Malware is constantly evolving, and hackers are finding new ways to get your data.

So, how do you remove malware from your computer? If you’ve ever had a computer virus, you know just how difficult it can be to operate your computer normally when infected, let alone remove problems.

In this post, we examine the best ways to get rid of malware and get your computer back in shape.

How Does Malware Work?

 First, it’s valuable to understand how malware works. In its most basic form, malware tricks you into putting the virus onto your computer. Malware tricks you by disguising itself as a part of seemingly normal software or emails. Once inside your system, there are a variety of different things it can try to accomplish, including:

• Installing keylogger applications
• Blocking access to your files and personal information
• Overloading the system with pop-up ads
• Damaging essential pieces of your operating system, rending the computer unusable

Due to its hidden nature, malware can sometimes be really difficult to remove entirely from your system. Many people have no idea where to start when it comes to repair. Luckily there are tons of resources available for you to use to remove the malware from your computer.

Prevention is the Best Repair

Easily the best way to remove malware from your computer is to prevent it from ever infecting you. When you get ahead of the ball, you save yourself the headache and cost of curing your computer.

Some of the best prevention techniques include:

• Installing antivirus software – antivirus software is one of the best prevention techniques because it is developed by companies who are dedicated to protecting computers. Antivirus tools run quietly in the background, scanning your computer for external threats and quarantining suspicious items immediately.If you don’t already have some form of protection installed on your computer, you should consider getting the best antivirus as soon as possible. There are lots of free options, along with more comprehensive paid options.
• Avoiding suspicious items online – the difference between a professionally-created website and one whose sole purpose is to give you a virus is clear. Legitimate websites are clean and work well, while malicious websites are often poorly created and buggy.Exercise common sense when browsing online or checking your email. If something raises red flags in your mind, it’s best to back out to a more reliable website. Most paid versions of antivirus software gives you added security online, blocking websites or warning you if something seems suspicious.

Malware Removal Techniques

If you get infected with a computer virus, it’s not the end of the world. The nature of most malware makes it seem like all hope is lost. That’s simply not true, and it’s a tactic employed by hackers to get you to give up more information.

Act immediately when you get infected. Here’s what you should do if you suspect you’ve been infected by a piece of malware:

• Back up your data – malware targets data, and you don’t want to lose any of yours. If you think you have a virus, make a backup of your data as soon as possible. Start with your most important documents and files, then work through everything else as needed.It’s possible that your backup data replicated the virus. There are tons of specialized tools online that can evaluate your backup file and prevent you from re-infecting yourself during the restore.
• Use your antivirus software – antivirus software often includes tools that can help you recover from a virus infection. Sometimes, a simple update is all you need. Once updated, the software catches the virus and quarantines it before it can do any damage.On the more expensive antivirus software plans, you get the option of employing dedicated resources from the company to remove the virus. If you have this option available, use it! The people who do the removal are trained professionals who typically do a good job.
• Restore your system to a  previous point – use your operating system’s system restore options to revert back to an uninfected state. Doing this can be quick and easy, but it does erase any files that were added after the restore point. If you’ve backed up your data, you’ll be fine, but make sure you have a backup in place before doing your system restore.
• Hire a computer repair company – if you’re feeling especially overwhelmed with all the options available to you, it might be time to hire a professional to do the virus removal for you. These are trained professionals who know what they’re doing, which makes it less stressful for you overall.If you decide to hire someone to repair your computer, make sure to do your research beforehand! It can be just as dangerous hiring someone unskilled to perform the repair. Ask trusted friends and family members for recommendations, and don’t forget about online reviews.
• Reset to factory settings – erasing all the content on your computer and reverting to factory settings should be your last resort, but sometimes, it’s the only option. This usually takes care of most types of malware, but there are some persistent types that will resist the reformatting. If that’s the case, you may need to hire a professional repair company to take care of the problem.

Getting infected with malware is scary, but there are ways you can both prevent it from happening and fix it if it does happen. Even though the advance of technology has created more opportunities for bad people to take advantage of you, it has also created ways of protecting you.