Is ransomware a type of malware?

It is! Ransomware is a kind of malware that infects your device and encrypts your files so you can no longer access them. You are asked to pay a “ransom” to the hacker to get the encryption key that will unlock your device. Find out more in our deep dive: Ransomware attacks: How you can recognize and prevent ransomware.

How do you know if you have malware?

Telltale signs of malware include a slowdown in device performance, programs opening on their own or acting buggy, and ads popping up randomly. However, because some kinds of malware can operate in the background with few telltale signs, it is important to set up regular antivirus scans on your computer.

How can I remove malware from my computer?

The first step is to disconnect from the internet – this is because some types of malware are programmed to download again automatically if you try to remove them. After that, use an antivirus program to scan your device and follow the instructions to quarantine and remove any malware that is found. There are manual methods for removing malware, but they will differ depending on the type of device and the malware that is infecting it.

Are malware and viruses the same thing?

A computer virus is a type of malware. Besides viruses, the term 'malware' encompasses forms of malicious software like spyware, ransomware, and more.

Not exactly. Phishing is one way of spreading malware, but it’s not the malicious software itself. For example, fake links or attachments in a phishing email might trigger the download of malware to your device when clicked. To learn more about phishing, see our explainer: Phishing emails: How to protect yourself.

Does antivirus software protect against all malware?

Cybercriminals are always developing new threats, so no antivirus software will be 100% effective all the time. However, if you use a reputable antivirus, it will be effective in protecting your device from known and common threats. Look for a package with automatic updates so it can identify newer forms of malware.

Does malware affect phones?

Unfortunately, malware is not just a computer problem – smartphones can be infected as well. This is why it’s important to only install apps from reputable sources and avoid clicking on phishing links. Connecting to unsecured public Wi-Fi networks can also put you at risk for getting malware on your phone.

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Malware types: Do you know the true meaning of malware?

Q: What is malware?

Malware, also known as “malicious software,” is the main word that describes a multitude of malicious programs or codes that are dangerous to computers, phones, and other systems. It may sound a bit harmless with its cute name, but don’t be mistaken. The purpose of malware is to damage, breach, and disable the functioning of computers, mobiles, networks, and tablets. So, any device you use can be subject to a malicious software attack, including your Wi-Fi router.

Feeling cybersecure? Ever stared at the computer screen hoping a malware attack was just some horrible practical joke? If you are like the rest of us and have experienced this moment, then don’t worry we’ve got your back.

If you have never experienced this situation, we’ve also got your back. We will give you the know-how to keep yourself and devices secure from malware.

By Montanna Owens

A hand typing on the keyboard of a laptop with a malware warning on the screen — A computer running much slower than usual could mean a malware infection

What is malware?

Malware, which is short for “malicious software,” is the main word that describes a multitude of programs or codes that are dangerous to computers, smartphones, and other systems. It may sound a bit harmless with its cute name, but don’t be mistaken. The purpose of malware is to damage, breach, and disable the functioning of computers, mobiles, networks, and tablets. So, any device you use can be subject to a malicious software attack, including your Wi-Fi router.

Malware is a tool used by cybercriminals, spammers, and hackers for different reasons which we will dive into a bit later. There aren’t any types of good malware, just to make that clear. As malware is software, it cannot physically damage the hardware of your devices, but it can steal your data, spy on your device activity without your permission or knowledge, and hijack your computer functions.

Types of malware

Before we can tell you how to take back the power of your device against malware, we first have to identify which types there are and their signs… and we don’t mean zodiac signs.

Spyware: A software that gathers information about people or organizations and send it to another entity in order to harm the user. This is caused by accepting pop-ups, downloading software from an unreliable source, pirating media, and opening attachments from unknown senders.

Adware: A software that will automatically download or display advertising material when a user is online. This happens in the form of pop-up windows or bars that appear on a program user’s interface.

Trojans: Just imagine, like in the story, your device is the city of Troy, and the cybercriminals want to seize your device. So, they disguise themselves as a legitimate program but secretly inside there are malicious attackers, or in the case, malicious code. This malicious code hidden within the legitimate software will gain system access of a user’s software once downloaded. This occurs from fake email attachments and file-sharing websites.

Malvertising: Ever seen a pop-up that says, “you’ve won $1,000,000.00” and all you have to do to claim your winnings is click “download”? That is the epitome of malvertising. Malicious advertisements are used to spread malware and compromise systems. Malvertising distributes malware with little to no user interaction required.

Viruses: There are an abundance of different types of computer viruses, but they all share the same goal and function. A virus is a program that replicates itself and inserts its own code into a computer program once it is selected or executed. You can get a computer virus by downloading media illegally like music, movies, and TV shows. It is also common to get a virus from downloading files that already has a virus onto your flash drive or removable external hard drive.

All different types of malware have different functions and present themselves differently.

Am I a victim of a malware attack?

We get it, you’re a bit startled from that long list, but don’t worry. There are some telltale malware signs that you can use to check for malware, so you know the signs to look for from here on out. Protect yourself from malware by identifying these possible symptoms:

Device is running slower than usual
Getting a lot of pop-up ads
Device is crashing (when your device suddenly turns off and does not turn back on or when your device freezes and does not respond)
Lose access to files or your entire computer
Antivirus protection stops working
Everything works normally

Yes, you read that last point correctly. There can be obvious signs that something is going on with your device, but some malicious software can operate in the background with the activity going unnoticed by you. A reliable antivirus protection software can assist you in checking for malware, even the hidden ones.

Pro tip: Choosing a secure email provider like mail.com is one easy way to help keep your device malware free! Unfortunately, cybercriminals sometimes use email to spread malware – which is why mail.com uses built-in spam filters and virus scanners keep suspicious emails from reaching your inbox. Learn more about how we help keep you safe online: Secure email provider

Malware protection

You don’t have to leave yourself vulnerable to malware attacks. We will help you adjust your malware protection with these rules of thumb.

Ensure your device, browser, and programs are updated to their latest versions. Regular updates leave your device more secure against threats
Use good antivirus protection software. (There are even free ones)
Treat emails from unknown senders with suspicion. Any suspected spam emails you should move to your spam folder. Also do not open email attachments from unknown senders. And remember, if it was really your lucky day to “win $1,000,000.00” they wouldn’t send an email or malvertisement asking you to download or click something.
Use strong, unique passwords. A weak or reused password makes it oh-so-easy for hackers to break into your accounts or devices – and once they are there, to spread malware that can steal data, lock you out of accounts, etc. If you have older accounts, it’s extra important to make sure they still meet current standards for strong passwords.
Learn to recognize phishing. Hackers love hiding malicious links and attachments in phishing emails. Double- and triple-checking before you click helps keep you safe – so make sure you know what a phishing link looks like.
Activate device and network firewalls. If you’ve ever wished you had a security guard to make sure that no one untrustworthy has access to your computer or network, the good news is that you probably already have one! Nowadays most computers, Wi-Fi routers, etc. come with firewall protection, so all you have to do is make sure the firewall is activated and up-to-date.

Malware FAQ

Is ransomware a type of malware?
It is! Ransomware is a kind of malware that infects your device and encrypts your files so you can no longer access them. You are asked to pay a “ransom” to the hacker to get the encryption key that will unlock your device. Find out more in our deep dive: Ransomware attacks: How you can recognize and prevent ransomware.
How do you know if you have malware?
Telltale signs of malware include a slowdown in device performance, programs opening on their own or acting buggy, and ads popping up randomly. However, because some kinds of malware can operate in the background with few telltale signs, it is important to set up regular antivirus scans on your computer.
How can I remove malware from my computer?
The first step is to disconnect from the internet – this is because some types of malware are programmed to download again automatically if you try to remove them. After that, use an antivirus program to scan your device and follow the instructions to quarantine and remove any malware that is found. There are manual methods for removing malware, but they will differ depending on the type of device and the malware that is infecting it.
Are malware and viruses the same thing?
A computer virus is a type of malware. Besides viruses, the term “malware” encompasses forms of malicious software like spyware, ransomware, and more.
Is phishing malware?
Not exactly. Phishing is one way of spreading malware, but it’s not the malicious software itself. For example, fake links or attachments in a phishing email might trigger the download of malware to your device when clicked. To learn more about phishing, see our explainer: Phishing emails: How to protect yourself.
Does antivirus software protect against all malware?
Cybercriminals are always developing new threats, so no antivirus software will be 100% effective all the time. However, if you use a reputable antivirus program, it will be effective in protecting your device from known and common threats. Look for a package with automatic updates so it can identify newer forms of malware.
Does malware affect phones?
Unfortunately, malware is not just a computer problem – smartphones can be infected as well. This is why it’s important to only install apps from reputable sources and avoid clicking on phishing links. Connecting to unsecured public Wi-Fi networks can also put you at risk for getting malware on your phone.

Mal-where? Not here! At least not anymore now that you know what malware is and how to protect your devices from malware. We hope you found this article informative, entertaining, and filled with puns... per usual.

We would love to hear from you – feel free to leave your feedback below.

This article first appeared on Oct. 10, 2022, and was updated on Dec. 5, 2024.

Images: 1&1/GettyImages

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