How To Detect Malware on Your Computer

If you want your computer to operate at peak performance, you must detect and remove malware. While some malware merely slows your computer as it eats up CPU power, others may record every keystroke you enter or search for and steal sensitive information such as your bank, email, or other private account information. Keep reading for more tips on how to detect, stop, and prevent malware.

How to detect malware

Malware is an umbrella that covers such as viruses, worms, rootkits, key loggers, and Trojans. There are noticeable performance issues such as slow response time, opening random tabs on the internet, and redirecting your web searches that can indicate you may have malware. 

The easiest way to detect malware is to perform a malware scan. 

What is malware?

The most common types of malware are viruses that infect other files through propagation, spyware that transmits data to other remote users, and adware that flashes advertisements or pop-up ads in your browser. 

Rootkits are another type of malware that are particularly nasty and cause all kinds of computer problems. From the malicious deletion of important files to the covert sending of personal data, rootkits are perhaps the most dangerous form of malware that threatens computer users. 

Rootkits are not only able to cause significant damage, but they are also the most difficult type of malware to detect and neutralize.

Like many other forms of malware, rootkits are often found in Trojan Horses, or programs designed to appear as useful, beneficial applications that are actually containers for viruses or other types of malicious programs.

Rootkits are especially dangerous, as they often give someone else administrator-level access to your computer. In many cases, rootkits are able to rewrite basic operating system commands so that outside or remote users can get into your system and essentially take over the machine. 

Rootkits may render certain portions of your system inoperable and inaccessible with no indication of how or why. Remote users can even use advanced rootkits to attack other computers on the network or over the Internet.

Free anti-malware programs

Over the last few years, hundreds of anti-malware and anti-virus applications have been released to help combat malicious files, and many of them are even free. Anti-malware applications such as Ad-Aware, Malwarebytes, and Spybot Search & Destroy are all freeware applications that do a reasonably good job at detecting malware and neutralizing it. 

While paid versions of the applications generally offer better real-time protection, the free revisions are effective as well, as long as you keep them updated with the latest DAT and pattern signature files. 

You can locate free anti-malware programs using your favorite search engine or on download sites such as Download.com and Tucows.com.

How to prevent malware

While anti-malware programs, such as the ones mentioned above, definitely help to prevent malware, they should not be considered all-in-one solutions. To safeguard your computer against infections effectively, you should consider installing a true anti-virus application just to be sure your PC is safe. 

There is a lot of malware in the world these days, and every day new variants are released. Using two applications to scan for malware and viruses increases the chances you are able to catch every malicious file that tries to sneak through.

Anti-malware and anti-virus programs are only as effective as their last updates. Therefore, you also need to make sure that you update your anti-malware and anti-virus software frequently (updating DAT and signature pattern files daily is recommended.)

Operating system updates

Most of today's modern operating systems (such as Mac OS, Windows, and many versions of Linux) check for and install updates automatically. You can set your operating system to deny update requests (or opt to perform them manually,) but doing so may put your computer at risk of infection. 

Keeping your operating system updated protects your system from the most recent security threats. If you are running an old OS, and you are concerned about security, consider updating to a more recent release to better protect your sensitive data and files.

Surf safe and smart

One of the best malware removal tips is to avoid infections in the first place. How do you do this? By playing it safe on the Internet and following a few simple rules.

1. Don't download pirated software, music, or videos. Many pirated files contain malware, spyware, viruses, and Trojans.
2. Scan all email attachments before you open them. Just because you receive an attachment from a friend or relative does not mean it's safe. Your friend or relative may easily send you an infected file without knowing he/she is doing so.
3. Avoid sites that deal with illicit material like pornography, drugs, or illegal activities. Many illicit or illegal sites target unwitting site visitors and download viruses and malware programs to steal information or infect other computers.

Following the above rules will not ensure that you avoid malware and viruses completely. However, doing so will increase your chances of preventing a malware or virus infection greatly. Just to be sure, though, run your anti-malware and anti-virus software often (again, every day is recommended.)

Bottom line

Some malware, such as rootkits and Trojans, may be difficult or even possible to remove completely. Therefore, the prevention of rootkits and Trojans is essential. To prevent infections effectively, you need an application that detects new malware as soon as it attempts to infiltrate your system. A good way to start is with a free scan of your system.

Using a top antivirus program is the easiest way to care for your computer.