One of the main risks to the security of your phone, tablet, computer, and other devices is malware. Viruses, spyware, ransomware, and other undesired programs that covertly install themselves on your device are all considered malware. Once malware is installed on your device, hackers can use it to obtain private information from you, display offensive or undesired advertisements, demand payment to unlock ransomware-encrypted data, and expose your device to additional malware.
To ensure the security of your device, follow these steps:
- Check your computer, tablet, or phone for strange activity. If your device suddenly becomes slower, crashes, or keeps displaying error messages, it could be infected with malware.
- Be cautious when visiting websites or opening/download attachments or files. Malware may enter your device through dubious websites or infected files.
- Stop doing anything online that requires username, password, or other sensitive information until you have cleaned your device of malware.
- Verify whether your device has security software, and if not, download it.
- Ensure that your software is updated to protect against known vulnerabilities.
- Check for malware on your device using reputable antivirus software.
- If steps 1-4 are unable to fix your device, try restoring your system of operation or contacting the producer of your device for assistance.
Additional precautions to protect your device from malware include:
- Utilize a firewall and install and update security software.
- Read every screen when installing new software.
- Access recognized software directly from the producer to avoid downloading malware.
- Watch out for security warnings from your browser.
- Type the URL of a trusted site directly into your browser rather than clicking on a link in an email or text message.
- Avoid clicking on pop-ups or ads relating to the speed of your computer.
- Scan USB drives and other external devices before using them.
- If you believe your computer is infected with malware, report it to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) or the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
To remove malware from your device, follow these steps:
- Stop doing anything online that requires username, password, or other sensitive information until your device is cleaned of malware.
- Verify whether your device has security software, and if not, download it.
- Ensure that your software is updated to protect against known vulnerabilities.
- Check for malware on your device using reputable antivirus software.
- If steps 1-4 are unable to fix your device, try restoring your system of operation or contacting the producer of your device for assistance.
To remove malware from a Mac or PC, follow these steps:
- Turn off the internet and switch to safe mode.
- Run a malware scanner to identify any malicious apps or programs.
- Empty your cache and erase the history of your web browser.
- If malware removal fails, consider reinstalling the operating system and all apps or programs from scratch.
To remove malware from an Android device, follow these steps:
- Turn off your phone right away before starting any research.
- Put the phone in emergency or safe mode.
- Locate the malicious app in your device settings.
- Uninstall the compromised application.
- Perform a factory reset to ensure complete removal of malware.
Remember to download malware protection after removing malware from your Android device.
By following these steps and taking preventative action, you can effectively remove malware from your devices and protect them from future infections.