Downsides of Digital Communication
By Tiffany Gallegos
MALWARE
Any malicious software intended to harm or disable computers and computer systems.
MOST COMMON TYPES OF MALWARE
* VIRUSES- copies itself; needs contact from computer to computer to spread. Viruses will do whatever the controller tells it to.
*TROJAN HORSES- when you think that something that you are downloading or opening is legit, then it ends up letting someone else access to your computer and the information on it.
*SPYWARE- files on your computer that secretly obtains personal information; can be as simple as the internet looking at what you look at to know what ads to put on your computer. However hackers can get into these files and take your personal information.
WHAT MALWARE LOOKS LIKE
Ways you could know that your computer has been infected by malware is your computer is continually slowing down, mysterious pop-ups, your computer crashes often and unusual messages.
HOW YOU COULD PREVENT BECOMING A VICTIM OF MALWARE
*ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE- prevents, detects and removes any malicious software. You should let it run all the time, update it often, and make sure you use one that you trust.
* FIREWALL- controls what connects to your computer.
*COMMON SENSE- do not do anything you do not trust 100%. And if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.