Malware is short for malicious software. It includes ransomware, trojan horses, rootkits, worms and even spyware explained above. Once the unaware consumer runs the infected software, the virus or code spreads to the operating system (like Windows, Android or iOS) and causes digital damage to the device. Malware can be deployed through email attachments, fake web sites, hijacked software downloads, and more. It is important to prevent these attacks by being educated on how to detect them, and having a good software solution to help.
PREVENTION AND MONITORING
Some Internet Service Providers (ISPs) provide free tools for malware and spyware including Comcast and Verizon. Other third-party software may help protect your computer from spyware or assist in the removal of it (some are free). The following is a list* to get you started:
- Ad-Aware
- AVG Antivirus
- Kaspersky
- McAfee
- Malwarebytes
- Spybot
- Trend Micro’s Anti-Spyware
- Webroot Spy Sweeper
- Windows Defender Antivirus
- ZoneAlarm
*Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union does not endorse these products. This is for informational purposes only. Information provided as of 10/1/20.