While it’s true that the internet is a wonderful place filled with valuable data and tools, it’s important to understand that viruses and other forms of malware can cause costly security breaches to your Nebraska company.

Malware has been a part of the internet since its earliest days, and the threat has only gotten bigger over time. Let’s take a look at the three most common types of malware, how to spot them, and what you can do to prevent them.

1. Viruses and Worms

Cybercrime will cost a global $10 trillion by the end of 2025, a stunning number that highlights the need for better security practices.

A large portion of these attacks will be performed by viruses, which may just be the most common type of malware in Nebraska. Worms are not far behind as they behave similarly, with one small distinction between the two.

Spotting and Preventing

Digital viruses attach to a clean file and spread to other documents or devices quickly. Signs that you have a virus include a slower system, unexplained loss of data, and frequent pop-ups.

You can prevent virus infections by using security software and avoiding downloads from unknown pages.

2. Ransomwares

As the name suggests, ransomware is a type of dangerous malware that holds your devices hostage. Simply put, criminals use phishing and other techniques to install ransomware and attempt to extort money from its victims.

This doesn’t only impact individuals- from schools that get breached to hospitals that suffer from cyberattacks– cybercriminals have been ramping up activity in the state for some time now.

Spotting and Preventing

It’s easy to spot ransomware once it’s been triggered because you lose access to your devices out of nowhere. However, it’s important to keep your software updated and educate your team in order to minimize the chances of a successful phishing attack.

3. Trojans and Rootkits

Trojan horses, often shortened as trojans, appear to be legitimate software but are actually malicious pieces of code that give the attacker access to your device.

Rootkits are often deployed on the same attack because they give criminals control of your system, so they can install more malware once they have access.

Spotting and Preventing

Trojans and rootkits slow down your device, with both also causing unknown softwares and browser extensions to appear on your smartphone or PC.

The Potential Impact of Malware

There are more than 1.2 billion pieces of malicious software, which amplifies their potential for danger. What’s more, it’s common for infected devices to become even more compromised after an initial breach and have more than one piece of malware on it.

This can cause an array of issues, including:

  • Unusable Devices: Depending on the piece of malware, you may end up with a blocked device, with some viruses actually rendering smartphones completely useless.
  • Stolen or Lost Data: It’s possible to lose images, notes, videos, and other important data on your device, and getting it back is not always an option.
  • Device Takeover: Device takeovers occur when a criminal gains access to your device and starts controlling it. In most cases, criminals will impersonate you in order to target other people, like your friends and family.
  • Compromised Credentials: Usernames, passwords, and even login cookies are all at risk if you have malware on your device, even if you don’t share accesses in raw text.
  • Mining Crypto: Cutting-edge malware not only takes over your device, but it can actually use it to mine cryptocurrency without your consent and put a huge amount of pressure on your device.
  • Spending Your Money: Last but certainly not least, it’s possible for criminals to access your smartphone app, including your banking application, and spend the money you worked so hard to earn and save.

Stay Protected While Surfing the Web

Malware and other dangerous software have plagued the internet since its early days, but you don’t have to surf the web and compromise your data while you’re at it.

The first thing you can do is learn about the different threats and potentially dangerous software in order to create a security protocol that helps you stay safe online.

As a matter of fact, there are many steps you can take to help prevent malware attacks like worms, ransomware, and viruses. For example, you can get a program VPN that encrypts your data and prevents it from being intercepted by hackers.

With that said, understanding the different types of malware and other threats is a great start that will put you on a path to browse the web safely.

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