Malware: How to Avoid Malware | Total Security Software

Malware has many facets and malware, adware, or spyware can infiltrate your system despite your precautions. But what are the different types of malware and how can you avoid them? This article aims to explain how to protect yourself from these nuisances, and what actions to take if your computer or your server's web space has been infiltrated.

What exactly is malware?

A malware (often called a "virus" by some users) is a program whose objectives are malicious. However, the term viruses are inappropriate because they are only a small part of the malware family.

Computer viruses

Computer viruses are programs that spread is independent because they can multiply by creating copies of themselves and infiltrate other computer programs. When a virus spreads, it can destroy data, spy on a user's data, and even damage their computer hardware.

Computer worms

Computer worms are also spread, even more so than viruses. They do not have to be attached to any programs or files and do not need a complicated mechanism to reproduce. To do this, the worms just need to be propagated by a simple aid program, emails, etc. Computer worms, like viruses, can damage and take control of the system. These programs are among the most common malware in their own right.

The Trojan horse

The Trojan horse or Trojan horse is malicious software that infiltrates inside a computer. Once installed, the Trojan uses an existing port on the computer so that a third party can connect to it. That is, a hacker has direct access to your computer, usually without the user being aware of it. The Trojan can perform several malicious actions, such as monitoring all outgoing traffic on a computer. Others copy information or data to resend later or install other programs (such as spyware or adware.). The Trojan horse can be controlled remotely and thus can allow other hackers to use the computer for criminal purposes.

Adware

The word adware derives from the contraction of "ad" (for advertisement in English), and software. Adware is malicious software that displays intrusive pop-up ads on a user's computer whenever they browse the web. It often happens that the adware is installed on your computer as freeware, or as a plugin in your browser. Adware can cause changes to your system or your browser, or even divert search results to hackers' favourite sites (such as Babylon Search, for example).

Spyware

Spyware comes from the English spy, to designate a spy. Spyware will monitor your activity and relay it to a third party. Hackers thus have access to all the information concerning the sites that have been visited, for example, or even access your list of contacts. This information is generally retransmitted for commercial purposes.

Scareware

Scareware is a threat that is often overlooked by Internet users. These malicious programs trick users into redirecting them to infected web pages, from a fake warning window. The visitor clicks on it and unknowingly downloads malware, which is supposed to fix their problem. Subsequently, user data can be hacked by cybercriminals.

Ransomware

Ransom means ransom in English. Ransomware is malicious software that blocks access to the operating system or to important data by encrypting it until a ransom has been paid to the attacker. In exchange for financial compensation, the hacker is supposed to decrypt data and make it accessible again to the user. This type of attack can be particularly dangerous when hackers attack a computer because in most cases they encrypt all the documents that are accessible to them.

Backdoor

The backdoor, backdoor or trap door is a way for hackers to bypass security mechanisms, penetrate a system using worms and control the operations of the computer. Cybercriminals can delete or modify files, or install other malware, without the owner realizing it. The remote control is often used for DoS attacks (that is to say, denial of service or denial of service attack in English) or by sending spam. Backdoors usually enter a system through a Trojan horse, computer worms or viruses.

How do you recognize malware and who does it attack?

Malware attacks businesses as well as private users, and the list above has shown you the variety of such harmful software. Equally varied are the causes that lead cybercriminals to use them. This is very rarely a case of digital vandalism, as the use of malware by hackers is often used for specific purposes, such as stealing data to resell it for example, or to place intrusive advertisements. Malware activity should be kept as low-key as possible, to continue its activity without users being aware of it. Users can still recognize certain special signs that the system has been penetrated by malware:

Your computer turns off by itself or does not turn on anymore.

The processor is busier, therefore the computer is slower.

The internet is also slower (higher data traffic).

Multiplication of unwanted elements, such as pop-up advertising windows, automatic redirects, a new browser or even a new toolbar.

The programs start to encounter bugs and crash. Some malware can also disable anti-virus software or your firewall.

Unwanted programs install against your will, without you noticing, and open automatically.  

The malware attack on your computer is in some cases visible, for example when the mouse cursor moves by itself, you notice the creation of new folders or the sending of emails that you are not aware of. the origin, etc.

How do you recognize malware and who does it attack?

Preventive measures to avoid malware

Some programs can help you protect your computer. But it is also your responsibility to avoid malware: find below the main measures to protect yourself and find out what behaviour to adopt on the Web.

Efficient software

The following software should be present on your computer to combat malware:

Up-to-date anti-virus software: Anti-virus software works all the time and protects your computer against malware. For the software to detect as much malware as possible, it is important to update it frequently. Windows users automatically benefit from the Microsoft Security Essentials program (Windows Vista, Windows 7) or Windows Defender (from Windows 8). Other free alternatives, such as Avast, are very popular. Avira and 360 Total Security are also highly appreciated. These programs are available in different variations, both for Mac and Windows. Designations such as "anti-virus program", "virus detector" are sometimes misleading, insofar as this software also detects other malicious programs (computer worms, Trojan horses, adware, etc.).

An active firewall: it is only when your firewall is activated that you can protect your computer. Many operating systems include a firewall.

An update regularly your operating system: updates help counter some security vulnerabilities that malware could exploit. Make sure your operating system is always the latest version, for example by automatically downloading the latest version.

Use the latest version of your programs: Programs with web access, such as browsers, Java, Flash, and other programs often have security vulnerabilities and make it easier for malware to penetrate, especially if regular updates are not made.

Careful use of web applications

Malware infiltration into your computer is often caused by improper use of the web. By taking certain precautions on the Internet, you reduce the chances of malware infiltrating your system:

Only use programs made available to you by trusted sources. It is best to download software and updates only from the provider's official website, or from trusted download sites.

When installing programs, you should avoid downloading extensions accidentally.

When receiving an email, avoid opening attachments and any links they might contain if the sender is unknown or if the subject of the email seems questionable.

Avoid clicking on pop-ups, banners and advertisements on the web. In particular, links that advertise special discounts, exceptional promotions or vouchers should be avoided.

Only communicate your sensitive data (bank details, usernames, passwords) if this is strictly necessary, and only on trusted sites.

Save your most important data to an external storage hard drive, as a precaution. Thus, you will be able to format your system if it is infected with malware.

How to eliminate spyware, viruses, trojans?

If you suspect that malware has entered your device, it is important to act as soon as possible to increase the chances of an effective remedy. With a simple internet search and with the help of this article, you can already get an idea of ​​the type of malware that may have infiltrated your system. However, be careful not to perform these searches on the infected computer. It is best to turn it off before the malware can spread.

Eliminate malware with anti-virus software

If you suspect your computer is infected, follow these steps:

Restart your computer in Safe Mode (which prevents downloading malware). On Windows, press the F8 key on your keyboard several times when starting the computer, to find yourself on the start menu. From the menu, select “Safe Mode with Networking Support” as you will need Internet for the following steps.

The next step is to check your entire system with your anti-virus software. First, make sure that the software you are using is updated. Anti-virus software can recognize and eliminate the most common malware. However, some particularly sophisticated malware manages to remain undetectable.

In addition to ensuring that your anti-virus is regularly updated, the use of anti-malware software is particularly recommended. There is a wide range of free programs, and most paid software offers free test versions, for example, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, SurfRight's EU-Cleaner or SUPERAntiSpyware Free Edition.

The Microsoft Safety Scanner is particularly good at detecting malware. With ESET Online Scanner and Bitdefender QuickScan, you can benefit from online tools to remove malware without even having to install any software. Regarding adware software (application for displaying unwanted banners), the AdwCleaner is highly recommended to remove them from your taskbar or browser.

Some anti-virus software offers different anti-malware scans that detect viruses within 20 minutes up to an hour. After removing them, restart your system, your computer should be properly protected.

Eliminate malware with the emergency system or formatting

The use of emergency software may also be recommended, such as Kaspersky Rescue Disk, F-Secure Rescue CD or KNOPPIX. These programs are available for free download and ISO standards. You can then turn on your computer, the software scans for potential malware and eliminates it. If your system is still having problems with malware afterwards, two options remain open. First of all, you can go to a professional. You can also save all your data, format your computer's hard drive, and install it again operating system. Formatting is the most time-consuming and cost-intensive way to remove malware. But it is also the most reliable technique, especially to avoid the most resistant and difficult to identify malware.

Malware on websites

Malware doesn't just attack computers, it can also infect your webspace or even your site. As a website administrator, sometimes you get a notification from your web provider to let you know that your site has been attacked. Like companies like Google, Web providers regularly scan websites to make sure they don't contain malicious lines of code. Also, certain preventive measures prevent the introduction of malware on your site.

Malware on websites

Preventive measures in web hosting

It is advisable to observe the following measures:

• Encrypted access to the webspace: Rather than using simple FTP access by SSL (FTPS) or SSH File Transfer Protocol (SFTP), encryption of the data in your webspace allows much more security.
• A secure password: it is recommended to choose a complex and unique password for each access. A strong password should be longer than 8 characters, both upper and lower case, as well as special characters. Also, the identifiers must be personalized, avoiding common identifiers such as "admin" or "webmaster".
• Two-step authentication: some CMS and programs require two-step authentication, for example on WordPress and Joomla. This is also possible using your Google account. In addition to the username, two passwords are required.
• Install the latest CMS and software updates: Security vulnerabilities can be infiltrated because your CMS has not been updated. The same goes for plugins, themes, extensions, and other programs you use.
• Make a backup: Regular backups of your entire website as well as the database allow you to have a backup copy in the event of a malware attack. It is better not to store your copy only on the webspace, as it is manipulable.

Remove malware from web space

If your website has been hacked and infected, it is important to take it offline immediately, especially since malware can attack the computers of site visitors. If your web host has not yet notified you of malware on your site, contact them, as they may help eliminate and avoid the malware. You can also implement the following measures:

Inspect your computer's condition: First, make sure that the problem is not related to your computer and clean it.

Change passwords: At least one of your passwords has likely been hacked. This is why it is necessary to modify the access codes linked to your server and to the website that has been hacked. In addition to the passwords for the FTP access and the administrator part, change those for the site database and the one for SSH access, if you have one.

Identify and fix bugs: Google Search Console (formerly Google Webmaster Tools) is a popular tool for preventing malware. To try to detect them on your own, it is best to be experienced in the field.

Use the latest saved version: If you have detected infected data, replace it with the latest version that was saved. To do this, delete the entire page and perform a new installation. If you ever do not have a backup copy of your website, your host may have one, do not hesitate to contact them.

Don't underestimate the damage malware can do

Malware is everywhere on the web and can cause massive damage. This is why it is essential to know how to spot them quickly, identify the exact cause of the problem, and act accordingly. In addition to using suitable software, you should be wary of the web and adopt certain behaviours to protect your computer or website. But there is no such thing as zero risks, and even the most careful users can fall victim to malware, which must be eliminated as quickly as possible to prevent it from spreading.

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