The Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) offers advice on how to minimize the effects of malware on your computer.
Malware is software that infects computers by copying and transmitting itself to other users, monitoring and logging user keystrokes, gathering personal data, or “hijacking” the computer processor. This poses a security risk for the information stored on the computer.
Security measures to combat malware include firewalls and anti-virus, anti-spy, and anti-malware software.
Your computer may be infected if it:
1) works more slowly, frequently malfunctions, or displays repeated error messages;
2) won’t shut down or restart normally;
3) displays a lot of pop-up ads, or ads that appear even when you are not surfing the Internet;
4) displays web pagers or programs that you didn’t open, or sends emails that you didn’t write.
If you think you may have malware, stop online shopping, banking or other activity that involves user names, passwords, or other sensitive information.
In order to reduce the chances of malware, DCP suggests that you not click on, download, or install anything unless you know what it is. You should also routinely monitor your computer for any of the above behavior.
OnGuardOnline.gov also has more malware information.
