Protect Your Privacy: Prevent Malware on Your Mac

The new era of work from home has brought tons of new opportunities, including the opportunity for cybercriminals to hack your data through malware. 

What is malware?

Malware is short for “malicious software,” and includes viruses, spyware, adware, ransomware, and more. Malware can be unknowingly installed into your computer or computer system, and the results can be incredibly damaging. 

According to a report by Malwarebytes, there are four main strategies which cybercriminals use when deploying malware:

1. Exploit Fear

   Many phishing emails aim to create feelings of fear or confusion to urge victims to open attachments or click on links. In the recent era of COVID, many malware campaigns included emails which “fraudulently posed as health advisories, PPE order forms, and donation requests from charities.”

2. Gather Intel

   Victims are often targeted due to the information gained by cybercriminals on their computer habits, such as tapping into company networks or online communication platforms. Some information can even be gleaned from Spyware unknowingly installed in your computer, enabling more targeted and personal attacks. 

3. Upgrade

   Just as you regularly upgrade your computer software, cybercriminals regularly upgrade their malware, including capabilities and tactics. Malwarebytes notes, “an increase in malicious spam posing as information regarding Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Slack, and other applications” once they became more frequently used during the height of COVID-19.

4. Attack

   Malware enables attacks such as the threatened unauthorized release of a victim’s personal information online, at times for the purpose of extorting money from the victim. 

With all of these factors to consider, computer software safety can seem daunting. But don’t worry! Here are a few simple and easy steps you can take to prevent malware infections on your Mac:

1. Install an anti-virus software. 

   We recommend Malwarebytes, which will automatically detect and remove viruses, ransomware, and other malware from your computer. In less than 30 seconds, Malwarebytes will scan your Mac and help keep your Mac (and your information) safe!

2. Buy apps from trustworthy sources.

   Make sure that the source of your App purchase or download is from an authentic and credible source. You can also check a source’s credibility by searching the list of published apps in Google Play or Apple’s app store.

3. Don’t open links or download attachments from suspicious senders.

   Avoid phishing scams which may try to scare you into clicking a link before you analyze its authenticity. Some indicators of a phishing scam include grammatical errors, misspelled words, and awkward or unusual greetings.

Need help setting up your anti-virus software on your Mac? Drop us a line. We want to help you stay safe, online and off!