Often, cyber attackers make their infiltration of a device well-known. Their malware will take over control of certain aspects of your device and make demands that will benefit the attacker in some way, such as wiring funds to a certain bank account or providing access to sensitive data. When this happens, you know you need support from a cybersecurity expert to cleanse your device of the offending program.
However, malware isn’t always so easy to spot. Many threat actors intentionally hide the workings of their malware, so they can perform malicious acts slowly over time without interference from victims. Then again, many device users are simply unaware of the signs that point to a malware infection. If you worry that you won’t recognize malware when it attacks your device, here are a few reasons you might struggle to detect malware with enough time to prevent serious damage.
If You Don’t Have Security Software
No device user knows all the billions of malware variants floating around the web or the millions of ways they might find their way onto a device and wreak havoc. Instead, most device users rely on security software, which is equipped with a vast library of malware signatures and searches constantly for signs of those signatures on a user’s device. Increasingly, sophisticated cybersecurity tools integrate AI functionality to ensure the highest quality protection for users in environments where new threats continue to emerge. Ultimately, you are dramatically more likely to detect malware on your device when you have a dedicated program looking for it 24/7.
If Your Malware Is New and Sneaky
Certain types of malware are purposefully designed to hide deep inside a device, avoiding notice, so threat actors can complete their aims without impediment. While older malware variants have been discovered and cataloged for security tools to identify regardless, newer malware with a high level of sophistication may be able to fly under the radar and avoid detection even with advanced security software installed on a device.
If You Don’t Know What Malware Looks Like
Sometimes, digital devices malfunction. Programs might freeze; error messages might pop up; the entire system might crash. This happens with increasing frequency as devices age, or if users press their devices to perform tasks that are beyond their processing power. Yet, sometimes, these types of malfunctions are related to malware — and knowing the difference is key to eliminating and recovering from malware in a timely fashion. Some good signs that your device’s odd behavior is malware-related include:
- You can’t shut down or restart your device.
- You can’t access system controls or remove software.
- Your device has a different image for the desktop wallpaper or launches browsers with a new homepage.
- You are seeing an overwhelming number of pop-up windows or inappropriate ads.
- You are seeing ads on websites that would not normally have them.
- Your contacts are receiving emails you did not write or send.
If You Aren’t Careful Where You Click
Different malware infiltrates devices in different ways, but a significant amount of malware hides in plain sight, embedded within links and images across the web. You should get into the habit of evaluating every webpage you visit to determine whether it is likely to harbor malicious content; you can also investigate links and images before interacting with them by hovering your cursor over them and considering the URL they lead to. By being more careful with your clicking online, you can avoid contracting most malware and eliminate the issue of undetected issues on your device.
If You Download Applications Indiscriminately
Along with images and links, web downloads are a popular method for attackers to secret their malware onto your device. You should strive to be judicious with downloads, considering not just whether you absolutely need the program but also whether you can trust its source. Many drive-by download sites are easy for hackers to infiltrate and corrupt with malicious files, so it is best to download applications from stores that are carefully monitored for security threats.
Not all malware infections are as obvious as you might hope, and even if they are obvious, hackers can leave behind backdoors and scraps of code that continue to give them control over your device. Instead of trusting your own ability to recognize and stop malware, you need to place a trusted antimalware tool on your device today.
