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NEED TO KNOW NEWSLETTER February 2025
Malware Attack
Malware is software designed to interfere with a computer’s normal function. It can steal sensitive information like bank account numbers, transform your device into an attacker's satellite machine, or even hold your system for ransom.
While antivirus software is an essential first step in protecting yourself from malware, it’s not enough. To fully safeguard your system, it’s critical to understand how malware works and be aware of common mistakes people make.
Betting on carelessness
Cybercriminals who use malware rely on their victim's lack of attention. They disguise malware in fake emails, hoping people won’t carefully inspect it before opening the attachment. Malicious links can lead to malware, and not everyone checks the URL before clicking.
These attackers can exploit the fast-paced and routine nature of our internet usage. We often skim through dozens of emails and visit countless websites each day, and this speed can lead to mistakes. To protect yourself, one of the most effective actions you can take is to slow down and focus more. By taking a few seconds to check a URL or a download before clicking, you can prevent an attack from succeeding.
The power of fear
Other malware attacks rely on something more straightforward: fear.
Ransomware infects a system, locks down data, and threatens to release or destroy it. There might be a ticking clock, too. Act now; pay up —or else!
People who are threatened and afraid are less likely to think clearly. Even though paying the ransom often doesn’t get the data back, the threat means they usually pay up anyway.
Planning is vital to fight back against the power and pressure of fear. When you have a plan and know what you’re ready to do if the worst-case scenario happens, you can proceed more confidently, and the attacker finds it more difficult to manipulate you.
...but don't be TOO confident
People often rely on their antivirus and firewall to do most of their work. The sense of having a safety net can lead to overconfidence and carelessness.
Think of yourself as an adventurer in a dangerous alien world. You have the technology to protect yourself and a map to guide you, but that doesn’t mean it’s safe to let your guard down.
Stay vigilant:
Simple awareness is vital for people at all levels of an organization. Once you know how malware manipulates you, you're ready to protect yourself next time!
Don't Panic:
Don't lose your cool! Those memes are onto something—staying chill and rolling with the punches is your ultimate shield against malware mayhem. Cybercriminals thrive on your panic, hoping you'll click that sneaky link when you're too excited or bored or cough up cash when you're scared. But if you take a deep breath and think twice before diving in, you'll safeguard yourself like a pro!