Malware takes many different forms and is hiding around every corner. Ensuring you and your team are protected will help you avoid data breaches and cyberattacks. Saving you money and privacy.

1. Mischievous Malware

2. Malware
Unfortunately, malware is not a foreign term, in
fact it’s pretty well known to anyone that uses a
computer. There are several types of malware, as
well as mediums in which you may receive it. So,
before you click on that link for the free cruise you
won, think about all of the personal data you
could be giving away.

3. Typesof
Malware
 First, let’s take a quick tour of the types of malware you may
run into.
 Viruses: These act very similar to the flu virus. Once it gets
into a computer, it propagates by copying itself and becoming
part of another program. Then just like the flu at an
elementary school, it spreads from computer to computer.
 However, a virus must be activated, by opening or running
the file. Viruses also include worms and trojans.
 Spyware: This form of malware works just as its name
intends. It is a software that usually piggybacks on
legitimate downloads. Once it is in your computer, it spies on
the information you key in and sends it to a website. The
first sign of spyware usually is a slow computer since it takes
up many resources to run.

4. Typesof
Malware
 Adware: We all know this one all too well. Those pesky
pop-ups telling you your computer is infected or that
you won money. These also piggyback on other
applications or downloads, such as free computer
wallpaper, widgets or toolbars.
 Adware is kind of tricky, inherently it isn’t dangerous
to your computer, although annoying, but not
dangerous. However, once clicked on you’ve basically
opened the floodgates.

5. Types of
Malware
 Ransomware: With the popularity of cryptocurrency, ransomware
has become more and more abundant. Often, this type of
malware won’t damage your computer… right away. Instead it
locks it and holds it hostage.
 The hacker asks for a ransom and will provide a key only if and
the ransom has been paid. If not, the hacker will usually wipe
your device of all of its data.
 Botware: This is another malware beginning to gain popularity
due to the cryptocurrency gold rush. Botware ultimately turns
your computer into a zombie by flooding it with denial-of-service
attacks. It helps hide anything going on below the surface.
 A surprising symptom of botware is a higher electric bill. Your
computer’s CPU will be running constantly and the fan will run
for longer than usual.

6. Malvertising
Now that you are a bit more familiar with the mischievous
malware that could corrupt your devices, it’s time to delve into a
lesser known malware scam known as malvertising.
This has been gaining headway on Google, so much so, they
created an individual landing page asking consumers to report
malvertising and explaining how to combat it. The way this
works is that cybercriminals utilize several types of display
advertisements to distribute malware. A few ways you’d see
malvertising is through auto-redirecting ads that will take you
to a phishing page, click bait and malicious code hidden within
an ad.

7. Malvertising
 Sadly, cybercriminals usually use legitimate ad networks
because of the high volume of ads they distribute. It makes
it incredibly easy for them to throw a code into an ad
without the advertiser having the slightest clue.
 The worst malvertising connects users’ computers to an
exploit kit that runs analysis on the defending computer,
looking for vulnerabilities and exploiting them. From there,
attackers can install malware, ransomware or gain full
access to the computer and sensitive information.
Sometimes Google may even flag your website for hosting
malware, which will affect how you show up in search
results.

8. What You
Can Do
Like most other malware situations, the best way to
keep it from ruining your device or even your life, is to
keep everything up to date. It is important to ensure
any scripts ads may be running on are current. This
includes programs like Java, Flash and Microsoft
Silverlight. Ad networks are working hard to stay
above the curve, but it is your responsibility to help
with that.

9. WhatYouCan
Do
 Be sure to report any suspicious ads to Google. If the
ad’s script contains suspicious code, including
encrypted code, it should be treated with suspicion.
Remove the ad from your website and report it to your
ad network.
 Also, there are many ad verification websites that help
back check ads for suspicious code. The bottom line
with any mischievous malware is to keep your eyes
open and report foul play.

10. Security
Awareness
Training and
Educating
Your Team
There are a number of managed security solutions that
will stop a malware attack before it can occur. Your
team members are actually your greatest threat. A
security awareness training solution will keep your
team educated through real-life email experiences.

11. SecurityAwarenessTrainingandEducatingYourTeam
This kind of solution phish tests your employees. This involves sending them fake
phishing emails as a test. If a team member ends up clicking on mock malicious link
they will be redirected to a customized educational page. This will explain why they
failed the phish test so they don’t do so in the future.
They will also continue to be phish tested until they pass. This way your team will have
an awareness of what a malicious email looks like.

12. If you’d like more information about managed security,
malware and how you can protect your business, contact
The TNS Group today.