"Malware" is short for malicious software. It's the catch-all term for any piece of code *designed* to do bad things to your computer. Think of it like a "sickness" for your premium gadgets.
Unlike a normal program (like your browser or a game), malware is built to work against you. Its job is to be sneaky, get inside your system, and then steal, break, or extort.
Just like human illnesses, there are many different types. A "virus" is not the same as a "worm," and neither is the same as "spyware." Knowing what you're up against is the first step in a high-end defense strategy.
Your Defense: The Digital Immune System
Your high-end router and secure DNS are a great start—they're like the locked gate to your property. But you still need a premium immune system *inside* the walls for anything that slips through. That's your antivirus and your own smart habits.
How to Stay Immune:
Keep Windows Defender Active: This is non-negotiable. Modern antivirus is your system's white blood cells. It's designed to find and neutralize these threats in real-time.
Run Our HEAT Scanner: If you suspect something is wrong, a standard AV scan might miss it. Our HEAT scanner is a deep-tissue scan, designed to find the threats that hide in memory or use "fileless" techniques that others miss.
Keep Everything Updated: Your OS, your browser, your graphics drivers. Updates don't just add features; they *patch security holes*. Malware often gets in through old, unpatched software.
DON'T DOWNLOAD FROM SHADY SOURCES: Want a "free" version of a $500 program? That "crack" or "keygen" you're downloading is almost 100% guaranteed to be a Trojan. Pay for your software or use free, open-source alternatives.
The Malware Bestiary: Know Your Enemy
Virus
The "classic" malware. A virus is a piece of code that *attaches itself* to another, legitimate program. Just like a biological virus, it needs a host cell to survive. When you run the legitimate program (e.g., `word.exe`), you *also* run the virus code. It then tries to spread by attaching to other programs on your system.
Worm
A worm is a step *up* from a virus. It's a standalone program that doesn't need a host. Its main talent is self-propagation. It actively looks for ways to spread to other computers, usually by exploiting a vulnerability in your network (like an unpatched version of Windows).
This is what makes worms so devastating. You don't have to do anything to get infected. If your premium machine is on the same network as an infected one, the worm can try to break in all by itself. This is why a good router and firewall are critical.
Trojan (or Trojan Horse)
This is the most common type today. It's named after the Trojan Horse for a reason: it's malware that *disguises itself* as something useful. That "free game," "video codec," or "system speed-up tool" you downloaded? That's the horse. Once you run it, it opens a backdoor and lets the *real* malware inside.
The Trojan itself isn't the threat; the threat is what it *carries*. This is the number one delivery method for Spyware and Ransomware.
Spyware & Adware
This is the "nosy" malware. Its job isn't to break your computer, but to watch you.
Adware is the annoying little brother. It injects pop-up ads all over your desktop and browser. It's obnoxious but usually not devastating.
Spyware is the silent, creepy one. It logs your keystrokes (stealing passwords), watches your browsing history, and can even turn on your webcam or microphone without you knowing.
The Big One: Ransomware
This is the king of all malware right now. It's a Trojan that, once run, silently encrypts all your personal files—your photos, your documents, your game saves—and then demands hundreds or thousands of dollars for the decryption key. It's the digital equivalent of a full home invasion. Learn more on our Ransomware page.