Malware and how to avoid it
By Brittany Johnson
What is Malware?
Malware is any software designed with malicious intent.
This means that it is a program meant to cause harm to your computer.
Trojan Horse
Malware can present itself in a Trojan Horse.
You may think you are downloading just an app or music or a movie to watch, but it gives other people access to your computer.
The best way to avoid this type of malware is to do your research; make sure you are downloading safe content.
Virus
A commonly known type is a virus.
This copies itself from one computer to the next by contact, either through disks, hard drives or the internet.
These programs can do anything the programmer wants it to do to your computer.
Spyware
Spyware can, true to its' name, spy on your personal information.
This can be used for marketing, but can also lead to fraud.
Avoidance
You can avoid these malicious programs by:
- Getting some good anti-virus software
- Using a firewall
- Using common sense, don't take things that are just too good to be true.