Frequently Asked Questions

What is malware?

Malware (or malicious software) is any software intentionally designed to cause damage to a computer, server, client, or computer network. Malware does the damage after it is implanted or introduced in some way into a target's computer and can take the form of directly executable code, scripts, so-called "active content" (Microsoft Windows), and other forms of data. Some kinds of malware are largely referred to in the media as computer viruses, worms, Trojan horses, ransomware, spyware, adware, and scareware, among other terms. Malware has a malicious intent, acting against the interest of the computer user—and so does not include software that causes unintentional harm due to some deficiency, which is typically described as a software bug.

Programs officially supplied by companies can be considered malware if they secretly act against the interests of the computer user.

One strategy for protecting against malware is to prevent the harmful software from gaining access to the target computer. For this reason, antivirus software, firewalls and other strategies are used to help protect against the introduction of malware, in addition to checking for the presence of malware and malicious activity and recovering from attacks.

If you are infected with malware, it is best to seek a professional to clean your computer systems. Many times it takes several attempts and types of ant-malware software to completely clean your system. Some malware is very good at avoiding detection and deletion.

What is ransomware?

Ransomware is a form of malware that encrypts files on a victim’s computer or server, making them unusable. Cyber criminals demand a ransom in exchange for providing a key to decrypt the victim’s files.

Ransomware attacks are becoming more targeted, sophisticated, and costly, even as the overall frequency of attacks remains consistent. Since early 2018, the incidence of broad, indiscriminant ransomware campaigns has sharply declined, but the losses from ransomware attacks have increased significantly.

Although state and local governments have been particularly visible targets for ransomware attacks, ransomware actors have also targeted health care organizations, industrial companies, and the transportation sector. But attacks are not limited to large companies and organizations! Small companies and individuals are targeted, too, because they are easy prey that might not have good defense systems and security.

Consult a professional before you think about paying a cyber criminal. Many times, with a good backup, your files can be restored back to normal.

My computer is working great but making a funny noise. Is this cause for concern?

Like an automobile, computers may develop a little problem that can develop into a much bigger and more expensive problem. For instance, you may have a noisy fan. If the fan quits working, your computer will overheat and could cause serious damage i.e. a hard drive crash. It is always best to catch problems before they become bigger problems!

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