Ad Blocker’s Guide to the Galaxy: What is Malware?

If you’re an internet user (and since you’re reading this blog we bet you are), then you’ve likely heard of the term “malware.” Malware has been around a long time — even longer than the internet. And as access to the internet has become widespread, malware has become a bigger and bigger threat to users’ online security.

What is Malware?

Malware is malicious software that sneaks onto your computer. It’s designed to steal data as well as damage or destroy computers and computer systems. Cyber criminals use malware as a way to monetarily gain or to simply sabotage others.

When it comes to malware, it’s not just about cybercriminals attacking businesses. There are also types of malware that target average internet users, leading to damaged devices, stolen personal information, and identity theft.

7 Common Types of Malware

• Adware. Adware forces you to see ads or exposes your personal data to criminals by showing you malicious ads. It can change your browser settings, manipulate your browser into visiting sites that you don’t want to, and inadvertently lead users to downloading even more serious types of malware. Some types of adware can also disable antivirus software making you more susceptible to attack.
• Virus. One of the most well known types of malware is the virus. It’s typically attached to a document or file that once opened, allows the virus to become active and replicate itself in an effort for it to pass from one host to another. Viruses often attack your files, making them inaccessible or outright deleting them. This can cause data loss or destroy a device completely.
• Worm. A worm does what a virus does, only it doesn’t require a human to open a file to run. Once it infects a device, it’s able to go to work corrupting or deleting files and transmitting itself over a network.
• Trojan. A Trojan is malware that disguises itself as trustworthy software. It relies on social engineering to spread and is often the type of malware that comes with phishing attacks. When a Trojan is installed, it may open your device up to further attacks — like the installation of keyloggers to steal personal information or adware to generate revenue to the author of the Trojan itself. Trojans don’t typically replicate or try to destroy devices so much as they are entryways for hackers to gain access to your personal information.
• Cryptomining Malware. This type of malware is often downloaded through phishing attacks or runs in the background on an infected website. It allows hackers to use a computer’s resources and energy to mine for cryptocurrency. Cryptocurrency requires a lot of electricity and other resources, so using someone else’s computer to mine for crypto allows hackers to avoid paying for these resources.
• Spyware. Spyware is exactly how it sounds — a way for hackers to spy on you and monitor your activity. One popular form of spyware is the keylogger. Keyloggers monitor what you type and give hackers access to things like usernames, passwords, and other personal information.
• Ransomware. Ransomware encrypts files on a device or network making them inaccessible. Hackers then reach out with a ransom request for payment to make those files available again. This type of attack is common against businesses.

How to Avoid Malware As You Browse

Downloading malware to your device isn’t a given. Thankfully, there are ways to avoid malware as you browse the web. Here are our top tips for preventing a malware infection:

• Use caution when clicking on links and attachments. Is the link or attachment from an unknown sender? Does hovering over a link reveal it’s actually going to a different site completely? Remember that email is a common way for hackers to deploy phishing attacks and that you should be wary whenever you receive an unexpected email.
• Keep your devices and software (including apps) up to date. When you install updates, you’re installing the developers’ fixes for known bugs and issues. And these bugs are vulnerabilities that cyber criminals use to their advantage.
• Avoid malicious websites. Be aware of what sites you’re visiting and pay attention to site addresses. If a company site address has a misspelling, it may be that it’s not actually the website you intended to visit. Websites with aggressive pop-ups are also suspicious because these pop-ups could be working to get you to click and install malware. Many modern web browsers proactively look out for malicious and phishing sites, like Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox.
• Use antimalware. Using antimalware software gives you the ability to detect and remove malware right away. This reduces the risk that the malware will damage your device or report back any sensitive information to the hackers that deployed it.
• Use AdBlock. An ad blocker like AdBlock is a handy tool when it comes to avoiding adware. While AdBlock isn’t specifically designed to remove adware, it does block annoying pop-ups and ads. This means it also blocks the malicious files contained in the ads that spread adware. AdBlock can also act as an alert system to the potential for adware on your computer. If you’re inundated with pop-ups even with AdBlock turned on, it’s a good idea to check your computer for adware.

How to Remove Malware

Even the best of us can fall prey to a malware attack. If you find you have malware on your computer, you should remove it right away. We suggest using antimalware software to do the trick. Software like this will scan your computer for any malware and remove it for you — just like that! Antimalware software can also regularly check your computer for malware and remove it before it causes any trouble.

While malware is a real threat to online security, by using caution and the right tools, you can successfully avoid it before any real damage is done. If you’re interested in using AdBlock to help avoid adware on your device, simply go to getadblock.com to get started. And if you have any questions for us along the way, we’re here for you at help@adblock.com.

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