One of the most common problems facing computer users today is malware.
What is malware? How can you protect your machine from getting malware? Read below to find out.

What is malware?

Malware, also referred to as a computer ‘virus’, is malicious software designed to gain access to computers to and user information without consent. Most malware we see nowadays is designed to gain profit from its victims.Malware can use infected computers to do things such as send spam e-mails to the user’s contact lists or redirect search results so that advertisements profit its creator. It can even capture credit card information by leading users to believe they have multiple viruses and need to purchase an “anti-virus” program

What are the warning signs of a malware infection?
1.) Every time you type in a search term, you get redirected to a different website.
*I.e. You search for “dogs” in Google, and end up on a page not related to Google and dog products.

2.) You get warnings about your system having multiple infections, and the software wants you to purchase the “full” or “upgraded” version.

What can you do to combat malware
1. NEVER download a file unless you are absolutely sure where it came from. If you’re unsure that the source is trustworthy, don’t risk it.

2. Run regular scans for malware. Infections tend to worsen over time, so catching malware in its early stages can mean the difference between buying a new computer and spending one hour having it removed.

3. Use Malwarebytes Anti-Malware. It is the most efficient tool for scanning and removing malware, and is installed for every Make It Work new client.

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