5 security tips to avoid malware on the internet in 2023

• Published date: 20 February 2023
• Publication title: Xinhua Finance Agency

OctaFX security experts describe the most common types of malware that can infect your device and how to avoid it with five security steps.KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - Media OutReach - 20 February 2023 - According to AV-Test Institute, an independent supplier of IT security services, there are more than 1.

2 billion pieces of malware online in 2023. Every day, the organisation detects 450,000 new malware programs and potentially unwanted applications. Various scammers and hackers use such programs to steal money, sensitive information, or even use your online identity for their benefit.

You can protect yourself by learning about malware and the ways to avoid it from this OctaFX guide. data-width="100%" style="display: block;width: 100%;margin: 0px;padding: 0px;text-align: center" " class=" data-display="none" ;font-size: 16px;line-height: 24px;display: none;margin: 0px;width: 100%" class=" Types of malware While the internet contains more than a billion different pieces of malware, there are several common types of it to be aware of.

Those include: Ransomware. This type of malware blocks access to your computer or the data stored on it until a ransom is paid.

The data is usually encrypted, and any attempts to bypass the blocking might lead to the loss of it entirely. However, there is no guarantee that hackers will decrypt the data or that you will receive the correct decryption key once the ransom is paid.

Spyware. Such malware is used to collect information about users without their knowledge or consent.

Spyware programs try to steal credentials and payment information, often by capturing keystrokes. Adware.

This software is in some way similar to spyware. Although it does not intend to steal your credentials, it gathers information about your web activity, interests, friends, places you live in or travel to, and then sell such a 'profile' to advertisers.

In some cases, adware automatically downloads or displays advertisements to you. Trojan.

Trojans are usually disguised as a piece of software that users might want to download for free, such as pirated games, apps, programs, and services. When launched, a trojan takes over the system and either harms the computer or steals sensitive information.

Worm. This malicious program will exploit vulnerabilities in programs and operating systems to install itself into networks.

Once there, it will not only steal sensitive information, but may also be used by hackers to launch DDoS attacks, ransomware attacks, and copy...