What is malware and which antivirus can we protect ourselves from it?

What is malware and which antivirus can we protect ourselves from it?

Malicious software is also known as "malware", an abbreviation for "malicious software". There are several types of malware, including spyware, keystroke programs, real viruses, and worms. Any type of malicious code that enters a computer is also included.

In general, the software is classified as malware based on the intent of the creator, not its actual functions. More and more malware is being circulated, both because of the sheer volume of new species being programmed every day and the temptation to make big bucks from organized cybercrime.Malware was originally used for experiments and Pranks developed, but ultimately led to vandalism and damage to the attacked computer to the point of uselessness. A large part of malware today is created in order to generate profit through forced advertising (adware), to steal sensitive data (spyware), to distribute e-mail spam or child pornography (zombie computers), or to extort money  (ransomware).

The controversy over the security of the smartphone operating systems iOS from Apple and Android from Google is once again fierce. A recent study by Daniel R. Thomas, Alastair R. Beresford, and Andrew Rice at Cambridge University found that 90 percent of all Android devices have at least one critical vulnerability.

The threat model was constructed using three common types of attack: installation attack (malicious code is installed through app download), dynamic code loading.

To defend against these threats, regular updates and patches are required from both the manufacturer and the software company. However, Android devices only receive an average of 1.26 updates per year to address these evolving threats.

According to the report, there is an information imbalance between the manufacturer, who knows if the device is currently secure and should receive updates, and the consumer, who doesn't know.

Bottom line: Android users need to be extra careful with how they use their devices and take extra precautions to protect their personal information.

Lock the phone, The first thing you can do to improve the security of your Android device is to set up the lock screen. To do this, set a PIN, a pattern or a password so that attackers cannot easily gain physical access to your phone. While this won't protect you from online threats, your personal information is safe for now in case you lose or misplace your phone.

Activate encryption chip, Next, you should consider turning on the phone's storage encryption. Depending on how old your device is and what functions it has, you may or may not activate the encryption chip. This feature is much more secure than your average lock screen and requires two-step password authentication in order to use the device. Older operating systems often have difficulty with this feature because it slows down processing on the device significantly. Review what's available and make your decision based on the expected threat level

Check apps, Always check apps before installing them on your smartphone. There are third-party applications available outside of the Google Play Store. While some of these applications are completely harmless, others could contain the malicious code mentioned in the Cambridge study. Thoroughly review third-party applications before installing them. If you are not completely convinced that the app is secure, do not expose your personal or business information to the risk of allowing the app on your device.

Use anti-malware software

Install a reputable anti-malware app from a trusted and secure source, such as Norton Mobile Security. Every time you download a new app, run a scan to make sure the download was successful and did not contain any malicious code. Malicious software (malware) has proven to be particularly common on Android devices.

Deactivate Bluetooth connectivity, Turn off Bluetooth connectivity when in public areas. Bluetooth enables your smartphone to establish a wireless connection with other “smart” electronics - and it enables other people to connect to your device without your permission if the function is activated and unobserved. Attackers can lurk anywhere, whether in the supermarket around the corner or in your favorite café.

Leaving your Bluetooth on puts you and your information at great risk. Unless Android provides regular patches and updates for its security issues, users need to remain vigilant and proactive about the security of their smartphones.

Various factors can make computers more susceptible to malware attacks, including flaws in operating system design, using the same operating system on all computers on a network, the issue of too many Permissions, or simply the use of the Windows operating system (for which most of the malware is written due to its popularity).

As before, the usual pieces of advice are the best protection against malware: watch what email attachments you open, be careful while browsing and stay away from suspicious websites, install a good quality antivirus and keep going it is up to date.