TechTheDay

As people and businesses continue to depend on the internet for commerce and other purposes, it increases the need for continued vigilance. There are several malware threats out there that people should be aware of. Malware is not new, and there are several examples of them across various platforms. Many people protect themselves by using anti-malware, but that is not enough. Knowing the threats out there allows you to better prepare for them. Here is a look at what experts see as upcoming malware problems for many users in the coming year.

Ransomware

The biggest malware threat that you might face is ransomware. These programs get onto your system through various means and then lock it down. A threat will then pop up on your screen that says you have to pay the ransom or see your data deleted. Ransomware does not just affect desktops or laptops. Phones can also become victims. In the past, Android malware locked down phones and asked for hundreds of dollars in ransom.

Worms

Another potential threat to your data is worms. Unlike usual malware, they are a lot more proactive. If your computer has a network vulnerability, the worm uses it to spread into your computer and move on to others. The result is a massive network of infected computers that a single hacker might control for a single purpose. Some use it for cryptocurrency mining, while others do worse things like child pornography and internet piracy.

Trojans

Trojan malware is one of the oldest types of malware out there. They pretend to be regular programs, but they can be destructive when they activate. Trojans can create back doors for hackers to exploit while others steal passwords. An infected device can be a potential security problem, mainly if the Trojan stays undetected.

Spyware and Adware

Like Trojans, spyware and adware don’t seem like a problem at first. Adware is pretty harmless. Once the malware installs itself, it starts displaying various advertisements. This behavior is what gives the malware its name. You can easily uninstall the adware with some knowledge. The main problem with adware is that it consumes computing resources.

The subcategory of adware known as spyware is more of a problem. People usually won’t see it on their system because of their stealthy design. This stealth is important since spyware is for collecting data. The more harmless spyware mainly monitors computer usage and sites visited. Malicious spyware collects usernames and passwords then sends them to the hackers behind the malware. Credit card info is also a focus of spyware since they are easy to use. 

Protecting your data is essential. If you don’t take steps to defend against malware attacks, you will face potential losses. Malware costs are rising, with experts predicting that people will pay billions by 2031 for repairs and ransoms. Don’t let yourself become a statistic, and start preparing now. With changes in your security and increased vigilance, you can feel more secure as 2022 begins.