Protecting Your Laptop and Phone From Malware Attacks

Did you know that there are currently over one billion malware programs waiting to strike at any moment? That is a troublesome number and can be a massive cause for concern for laptop and smartphone users.

Luckily, there are security solutions that can protect your devices from this destructive yet thriving problem. This protection comes in the form of cyber protection, software, managed IT security technicians, outsourced technical support, and due diligence on the user's part.

Protect your personal information now so you won’t have to clean up a massive digital mess later.

Malware (malicious software) is the term used to describe cyber threats like worms, viruses, trojans, and other dangerous entities designed to cause harm to your computer.

Malware is often used to break into your system, steal your passwords, access your personal and financial information, and destroy important files, folders, and programs.

Before you can protect your devices from malware, you must know how to detect it.  According to Malwarebytes, “While ransomware attacks on individual consumers are down at the moment, attacks on businesses are up 365 percent for 2019.” This number is concerning, to say the least. This number of network security threats can also be disastrous if left undetected.

Did you know your phone camera can be compromised through malware, allowing others to access the video and microphone on your device to watch and listen to your every move? That is very scary and is only a fraction of the damage malware can cause, so knowing the signs of a security issue like malware is crucial.

• Popup ads are everywhere
• Warnings show up from unknown, fake antivirus apps
• Strange, unknown social media ads
• Browser redirects automatically
• Increase in data usage
• Internet and Wi-Fi connections turn on by themselves
• Strange emails are sent to all your contacts (not by you)
• Surprising charges on your monthly phone bill
• Battery drains quicker than normal

There are various ways malware can get onto your devices. Hackers and people with malicious intent are clever and have come up with impressive ways to get unsuspecting users to hand over personal information.

Smartphones are one of the easiest ways for hackers to gain control of your sensitive information. Androids are more notorious for attracting malware than iPhones. According to Malwarebytes, “Android leads the market with 76 percent of all smartphone sales, followed by iOS with 22 percent of all smartphones sold.” This means more people worldwide are subject to this malicious software.

While this isn’t great news for Android users, it isn’t a huge surprise they would come with higher results since more people use Android phones.

You can pick up malware from just about anywhere on the web or through apps. You should never open emails or search websites that seem sketchy or off to avoid these security risk issues.

Malware can get on your devices through:

• Mail spam and phishing emails
• Compromised software
• Fraudulent websites 
• Fake apps
• Adware

Luckily, removing malware from your devices isn’t a daunting task. You can do it through outsourced IT support and information security software.

Using IT cybersecurity support and consulting services can help you tackle and recover from malware cyber-attacks.

The first way to avoid malware is to avoid sites and emails that aren’t familiar or secure. Per Business News Daily, “Threat intelligence experts at Spamhaus reported in June 2022 that a website bearing the .ci TLD (top-level domain) is over 86% more likely to be associated with spam in some way.” Knowing what to watch for can prevent a lot of problems.

Changing your passwords frequently and avoiding saving or auto-filling login IDs and passwords is also a good idea. You can also hire a reputable and respected IT company for managed IT services and support plans that will protect your devices before malware can attack.

Other ways to protect your devices:

• Remove programs you no longer use
• Update browsers, plugins, and operating systems frequently
• Only download apps from secure stores like Google Play and Apple App Store
• Never click on pop-up ads
• Create strong passwords
• Back up data frequently
• Scan your phone often

A computer virus is a malicious program designed for criminal purposes. Viruses are a type of malware that replicate themselves, then insert their specific codes into your computer and spread a dangerous and destructive virus into your system.

Computer viruses can easily spread in multiple ways, making them hard to track down and stop. These cybersecurity threats can spread from internal or external sources, so be conscious of what you are inserting into your computer.

Viruses can spread in many ways. For example:

• Through application programs, which then spread through your computer system
• When an infected program copy is loaded into a different computer
• Through a floppy disk that infects your hard drive
• By opening email attachments that allow the virus to enter your email application
• Macro applications like Outlook or Microsoft Office can become infected by opening dangerous documents

Installing cybersecurity solutions like malware protection and detection software is crucial to protect your mobile devices and computers from a future security breach. You can do this independently or get professional assistance through an outsourced IT support company.

To keep your computers and devices safe from a malware security event:

• Educate users on how to identify spam.
• Backup all data.
• Create strong passwords and change them often.
• Update your software whenever available.
• Get rid of all your old software.
• Use outsourced IT services when needed

The best way to keep your phones and computers safe from cybersecurity threats is by staying educated and vigilant when using them. When you know what you are looking for or what to steer clear of, it is much easier to avoid a cyber attack.

You can protect your personal and important information simply by utilizing cybersecurity measures designed to identify potential threats and keep cyber criminals from hacking your accounts and invading your privacy. For additional protection, you can use professional IT support for outsourcing services.

Utilizing cybersecurity services with qualified professionals trained in information technology data protection is one of the best things you can do to protect your devices and keep your computer systems and sensitive information from entering the wrong hands in a data breach. For more in-depth information, reach out to our team today!