Windows is the most popular desktop operating system in the world, and as a result, PCs running Microsoft's operating system are the most frequent targets of cybercriminals and their various varieties of malware.
While desktop users on other platforms shouldn't be complacent, though it might be tempting with less used and more locked-down OS alternatives, it's pretty true to say that those running Windows should consider security a priority.
With that in mind, in this article, we'll take a look at the most common types of malware that could attack a Windows 10 or 11 system, explaining what they are, how they work, and what they might do to any PC unlucky enough to be infected. Then, to wrap up, we'll look at what tools you can use to detect and purge these various intruders, such as malware removal software and antivirus software, and how to do it.
1. Viruses/Malware
The term "virus" is used quite often in a general sense to refer to anything malicious that has infected a computer, but actually the generic term is "malware." A virus is a specific type of malware and is in fact the oldest family of malware.
A computer virus, like a biological virus, exists for the purpose of spreading. It hides in a file (such as an application EXE or a Word document) and infects the system when that file is opened, triggering the payload (the nasty things that are done to your machine, which vary widely) .
The key here is that it then tries to spread to other files, and if those files from your machine find their way to another PC, it infects that PC (when the file is executed), spreads again, and so the cycle continues.
2. towards
A worm is very similar to a virus and spreads in the same way, but with one essential and very dangerous difference.
Worms directly attack and infect the system they come into contact with. In other words, you don't need to open a file to trigger the infection; this happens without requiring any user interaction. In this case, there is not even a chance to suspect the title and origin of a Word document and decide to leave it alone: the infection just happens.
3. Trojans
You are probably familiar with the Trojan horse myth, and the name of this type of malware is a direct reference to the fact that it pretends to be a legitimate application or file. Most of the time, it will be a bogus program that you may download thinking it is the genuine article, perhaps from a website that looks genuine, but when you run it, your machine will be infected (unlike a virus, however, it won do not try to spread).
A Trojan can be destructive in a number of ways, such as opening a backdoor into your system to allow the malware author access, or it can install itself on your PC and steal your passwords.
4. Advertising programs
Adware is one of the less malicious malware subcategories, as it won't engage in anything really nasty like destroying your data. Instead, it just serves ads as its name suggests (note that it could track you online, though, and target ads too).
So it's more annoying than actively destructive, but clearly, it's still not something you want on your Windows PC. Especially when, in some cases, it can lead to a real rush of pop-up ads storming your desktop, which is really not pleasant and might hamper the performance of your Windows laptop or PC.
5. Spyware
Again, this is a type of malware named after what it does, i.e. sit quietly on your system, spy on you and stealthily collect data. The collected information is passed on to the malicious actor behind the spyware and then directed towards the dark target they have in mind.
It's similar to adware, and it's not completely destructive (the idea is that you never even notice it's there, of course), and adware is generally considered a subcategory of spyware.
Where spyware is different, however, is that it is more of a threat than adware, and a potentially greater danger to your security and personal data. This could include collecting information such as passwords for your online accounts, for example.
6. Ransomware
Ransomware is one of the most dangerous types of malware, one that actually takes control of your machine.
If it infects a PC, like most malware, it can hide in a file that was emailed to you or picked up via a dubious web link, systematically go through your files and encrypt them (or at least some of them). the most critical). ). It then demands a ransom to be paid for the key to decrypt this data. Essentially, it locks files so you can't access them and threatens to throw away the key unless you pay, usually in Bitcoin or another cryptocurrency.
Of course, even if you pay, there is no guarantee that the malicious party behind the scam will release your files from their encrypted channels. You are trusting an inherently unreliable third party that this will actually happen.
How to remove malware from your Windows PC
Let's say something unfortunate happens and you are infected with one of the above threats. You may be sure of an infection, or you may only suspect it. In the latter case, perhaps your computer is suddenly behaving strangely, running very slowly, or displaying random messages that don't make sense.
The first question to ask yourself is: are you using an antivirus application? Remember that Windows has its own built-in Microsoft Defender, so you don't need to install a third-party app if you don't want it. Assuming you are using an antivirus, if you are unsure but suspect the presence of malware, run a manual scan (the option to perform a "full scan" should be easily accessible from the main menu of the application). This scan should identify anything malicious and then automatically deal with the offending party.
If you are sure that you have been infected and you are already using an antivirus, it shows that these applications are not always completely bulletproof. It is at this point that you may want to ask yourself: are you using one of the best Windows antivirus applications, with a more accurate antivirus engine? If not, switch to one of these higher-rated products for better protection and run a scan.
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(Image credit: Malwarebytes)If your antivirus can't find anything, you can hire another line of defense: antimalware (or, if you don't have an antivirus and don't want to install any, you can skip to this step). Our first option recommendation in this case is Malwarebytes. Once installed, launch the app and click “Scan” to start the scanning process. If the applications find a threat, they will take care of the malware (the software can also flag potentially suspicious programs that you may or may not want to get rid of). We have a complete tutorial that provides step-by-step instructions on how to clean your Windows PC with an antimalware tool.
In short, the combination of antivirus and/or antimalware should search for and destroy any malware present.
Finally, there may be some particularly troublesome malware, and here we are mainly thinking of ransomware, which is a particularly tricky type of infection. In some cases, you may be stuck on your PC or need specialist help, but remember that there are ransomware decryption tools from leading security vendors that can help – you can check out Kaspersky and Avast resources to get started.
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