Different Types of Malware & How to Protect Against Them

Published on 31 August 2023

Malware is a type of software that is designed to harm a computer system or its users. It can be installed on a computer through a variety of ways, such as clicking on a malicious link, opening an infected attachment, or downloading a file from an untrusted source.

There are many different types of malware, each with its own unique purpose. To ensure you IT security remains up to scratch, it’s recommended to get to grips with the most common type of   

Adware

Adware is a type of malware that displays unwanted advertisements on a user’s computer. These advertisements can be very intrusive and can even slow down a computer’s performance.

Botnets

Botnets are networks of computers that have been infected with malware and are controlled by a single attacker. Botnets can be used to carry out a variety of malicious activities, such as sending spam, launching denial-of-service attacks, or stealing data.

Ransomware

Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts a user’s files and demands a ransom payment in order to decrypt them. Ransomware attacks can be very costly, both financially and in terms of lost productivity.

Rootkits 

Rootkits are a type of malware that gives an attacker complete control over a computer system. They are very difficult to detect and remove, which makes them a particularly dangerous type of malware to be aware of.

Spyware 

Spyware is a type of malware that collects information about a user’s computer activities, such as browsing history, keystrokes, and credit card numbers. Spyware can be used to steal personal information or to track a user’s online activity.

How to Protect Your Business From Different Types of Malware

There are a number of things that you can do to protect your computer and boost your IT security from malware, including:

• Keep your software up to date – Software updates often include security patches that can help to protect your computer from malware.
• Use IT security such as firewalls and antivirus software – A firewall can help to block malicious traffic from entering your computer, while antivirus software can help to detect and remove malware.
• Be careful about what you click on – Don’t click on links in emails or on websites unless you are sure that they are legitimate.
• Download files from trusted sources – Only download files from websites that you trust.
• Use a web browser that has built-in security features – Web browsers such as Google Chrome and Firefox have built-in security features that can help to protect you from malware.
• Use strong passwords – Use strong passwords for all of your online accounts. A strong password should be at least 12 characters long and include a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
• Back up your data regularly – This will help you to recover your data if your computer is infected with malware.

Outsource Your IT Security and Get Protected Today

By following these tips, you can help to protect your computer from the different types of malware and keep your personal information safe. As well as everything covered above, one of the most effective ways of protecting your data is to outsource your IT security. 

We offer full IT security consultation services to help you stay protected. Contact Bluebell today to find out how our security services can help your business.