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u The computer frequently stops responding.
u Installed memory becomes less without any reason.
u Unexplained messages appear on the screen.

u An entire disk or drive is erased.
What Malware Can Do

Malware, in form of viruses, Trojans, spyware or adware can harm your computer and productivity in many
ways. Some of the ways malware causes harm to us are:

u Malware steals your personal information such as personal data other financial data.
u Malware floods your browser with pop-up advertising, thereby slowing down your network connection and
reducing your productivity.

u Malware spams your inbox with advertising email, leading to clutter and wastage of storage.
u Malware slows down or crashes your computer.
u Malware can destroy your files and disks.

u Malware allows hackers to get hold of your computer.
u Malware can install other malware onto your computer.
What Malware Cannot Do

Some things that malware cannot do are:

u Malware cannot harm read only media such as CD-ROMs or DVD-ROMs.
u Malware cannot cause damage to the hardware of your computer system as these devices are not related
to software.

u Malware does not cause your computer system to stop functioning as it needs the computer system to
cause further damage.

Steps to Ensure Safety from Malware

Prevention is always better than cure. You must always take measures to ensure that malware is not able to get
to your computer system. Some steps to prevent malware and virus from affecting your computer are:

u Install an antivirus software to scan your computer for malware and viruses and remove them.
u Install a firewall to prevent unauthorised access to private networks by users connected to the Internet.
u Before you run a program for the first time, check it with an antivirus software.

u Every time you insert any removable media into your computer, scan it first for malware.
u If you access Internet frequently and download content from it, use a virus scanner that scans the downloaded
content and the websites for malware.

u Use software from trusted sources.

u Do not open e-mail attachments without scanning them.
u Scan files transferred through a network or removable disk.
u Adjust security settings in your browser to ensure maximum protection.

u Never use pirated software.
u Always keep your antivirus software updated with latest virus definitions.

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