What is malware and how to protect against it?

Malware (a combination of “malicious + software”) is a file or code, that infects, explores, steals, or conducts virtually any behavior an attacker wants. These virtual parasites are as old as the internet, but as safety standards evolve, so does the malware.

Now there are numerous easy answers to this problem, yet some solutions might cause even more harm than good. Fighting malware is no joke when your personal data or even your physical devices might be at stake. That’s why you must choose the best tools for the job.

However, just knowing your enemy is not enough to build a strong defense plan. How does it work and how do you protect against it? Read on and find out.

So, what is malware exactly?

Generally speaking, malware is any type of code that was created with malicious intent. Usually, the goal is financial: stealing sensitive financial details to funnel money out of your bank account, stealing corporate secrets to enrich competitors or personal data for social engineering schemes like identity theft.

However, some types of malware have other purposes – for example, governments may use it to sabotage important infrastructure, as was the case with the Stuxnet worm that managed to destroy much of Iran’s uranium enrichment effort in 2010.

Worms are also developed to form botnets, which are networks of infected devices hackers can control remotely and carry out DDoS attacks. These can bring down specific websites or even kill the internet of entire countries.

There’s no reason to believe that malware has a set list of things it does or doesn’t do. As more of our lives move online, malware will be there to exploit us each step of the way.

A history of digital disease

Anyone who knows a thing or two about human nature will not be surprised to learn that malware is almost as old as computing itself. So why is it that we don’t hear much about the infections plaguing early devices?

Put simply, there wasn’t much benefit you could gain from “computer viruses,” as they were known back then. Before the advent of the modern web, which profoundly increased the importance and value of data, malware was more of a stunt. This is obvious from some of the more famous examples – the 1971 Creeper worm, for instance, which spread through ARPANET and did nothing but display a message: “I’m the creeper: catch me if you can.” Cute.

Some of the examples of early malware were malicious, but still had no benefit for the people behind them. The first (or second, depending on who you ask) trojan, for example, PC-Write Trojan (1986), would enter the system disguised as something benign and then proceeded to delete all files.

Many viruses from the late ‘80s and into the ‘90s were significant because they were experiments that laid the conceptual and technical groundwork for the devastating malware of the 2000s. Worms like Conficker and Stuxnet, trojans like Zeus, and Ransomware like Cerber or WannaCry.

What are the different types of malware?

Whatever you’re using for malware protection, the threats picked up by a malware scanner usually fall into one of the following categories:

Is my computer ill?

Adware may be loud and annoying, but it’s the silent predator that does the most damage. Only by hiding from you can malware seriously affect your bank balance. Ransomware is an exception to this, but overall, if malware makes using devices difficult, users tend to search for a cure – and they usually find it, too.

How do you find malware that doesn’t want to be found, though? Well, there are things you should look out for, such as:

• A drop in performance. Among other things, if you feel your computer’s been “thinking” too much, crashing, or freezing recently, it may indicate that something invisible is eating up its resources. Look at your Task Manager (Activity Monitor, for Mac users) to see whether some suspicious process is consuming your CPU or RAM.
• An inexplicable lack of disk space. If just recently your computer was full of space and suddenly it has all but disappeared, this is something to look into. Some malware expands uncontrollably and takes up a large chunk of your digital real estate.
• Internet much slower than before. This one’s tricky: some malware types will eat through your bandwidth by connecting to distant servers and sending/receiving lots of data. The issue is it can be a bit difficult to figure out if that’s what’s happening – you’ll have to go through your list of connections.
• Your browser is being weird. Has your homepage changed or do you suddenly find yourself surrounded by mysterious add-ons? You’d better call the medics.
• Your anti-malware software is being weird. If your scans are failing or the app is unable to update itself, you may have some sort of malware sabotaging your ability to fight it. An easy way to tell you’re compromised, but sadly difficult to solve – you may have to rely on other software.
• OS updates not working. Same idea – updates patch vulnerabilities, preventing malware from infecting you.

You might say these are not discrete symptoms, and you’d be right. Some malware won’t give you any heads up on its workings. It will work quietly with minimal hardware and network resources, sometimes not doing anything at all until the time comes. Thus you shouldn’t rely on a reactive approach to security.

Bolster your security with TotalAV

Preventive measures are the best defense

You need to make sure malware never gets into your system in the first place.

The most important step to that end is software updates. Most of the malware people encounter relies on unpatched vulnerabilities – it’s a race between cybercriminals and software developers. Unless you update regularly, security holes remain and the race is pointless.

Moreover, it’s never too early to take proactive measures against potential threats. When we talk malware, such solutions include anti-virus or anti-malware software. A great example is TotalAV and its all-around digital security suite, now 80% off. Such tools not only delete all breeds of malware locally before they even touch your device but also warn you about malicious websites or other web dangers.

Practicing browser discipline is another way to avoid any uninvited guests. It probably goes without saying, but downloading apps from dodgy-looking websites is a big no-no. Same with clicking on any random pop-up, as these may lead you down some bottomless rabbit holes. You should be particularly careful on websites of ill-repute, such as torrent sites, porn sites, or free pirated movie pages.

And for god’s sake, don’t assume your iPhone or Android can’t get infected.

Following all these steps won’t stop 100% of infections, but it will get you damn close. Cybercriminals are not focusing on the tech-savvy users. Their blanked approach works a lot better on mere mortals.

Do VPNs protect from malware?

Virtual Private Networks have been around for what feels like forever. But what if we told you a VPN is more than just a tool to hide your IP or location?

Nowadays, top premium VPNs offer comprehensive all-in-one digital security packages. These often include fully-fledged malware blockers that are highly compatible with various devices or platforms. Of course, they don’t replace dedicated antivirus software, and some are better than others in regards to stopping malware or viruses. So after rigorous testing, we gathered our Top 3 that take your digital security to the next level:

• NordVPN – top malware protection VPN with free Threat Manager malware blocker, powerful security, independently-audited zero-logs policy, and wide compatibility. Now 74% off.
• Surfshark – excellent VPN for unlimited devices with robust CleanWeb malware filter, huge global coverage, and speedy servers. Now 86% off.

Conclusion

Whether we like it or not, malware is a part of the digital world. However, there are many measures and solutions to vanquish or minimize the threats it poses. After all, knowledge is power, and knowing how to deal with malware is your best asset to fight against it.

It’s always important to remember the best strategies to keep yourself safe online and practice your digital hygiene. That includes taking action before the danger is on your doorstep and using the right tools for the job. In addition to various online safety strategies, we sincerely recommend using dependable antivirus software, such as TotalAV, and utilizing all included features to stop any sneaky digital parasites from slipping in unnoticed.

Have you faced malware? How do you deal with viruses? Tell us in the comments below.

---

You may also like to read:
Best antivirus for Windows 11
Best antivirus for iOS devices
Best Chromebook antivirus
How to remove a hacker from my phone
What is a VPN
What is an IP address
What is an AES encryption

---

FAQ

What is malware and how can you prevent it?

Malware is software designed to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to a computer system. It can pose a threat to both digital data and physical hardware. Fortunately, it can be detected and dealt with using proficient anti-malware software, such as TotalAV antivirus.

Can antivirus protect against malware?

Antivirus software is your front line of defense against malware. However, dodgy anti-virus programs can be malware themselves and put your device at risk. Using trusted and tested antivirus software, like TotalAV,  is guaranteed to stop the dangers before they even land in your system.

What is the best defense against malware?

Reliable anti-malware software is your best tool against such threats. For instance, the best Windows antiviruses nowadays even include secure VPNs to detect malware while browsing online. This way, you can enhance both your privacy and digital security with a single application.

How do I know if I have a virus or malware?

There are numerous ways of detecting malware on your system. If your device starts showing various symptoms indicating a virus, then it's high time to arm yourself with a robust anti-malware solution. Such software keeps both your local storage and online browsing a safer experience.