What is malware and how can you reduce risk?

What is malware and how can you reduce risk?

• A. Malware is malicious software; protect yourself with updated software, backups, and cautious downloads.
• B. Malware is harmless; ignore warnings.
• C. Malware is only hardware-based and cannot be prevented.
• D. Malware only affects mobile devices.

Answer: (C)

Malware is software designed to harm, steal data, or take control of a device. To reduce risk, you can keep all software and the operating system updated, since updates fix security holes that malware can exploit. Regular backups are also important so you can recover if malware like ransomware encrypts your files. Be cautious with downloads, email attachments, and links, and use reputable security software and a firewall to add layers of defense. This covers why malware is not just harmless software, not something limited to hardware, and not confined to mobile devices. The idea in the best choice is that malware is indeed malicious software, and practical steps like updating software, making backups, and being careful with downloads are effective ways to reduce risk.

Malware is software designed to harm, steal data, or take control of a device. To reduce risk, you can keep all software and the operating system updated, since updates fix security holes that malware can exploit. Regular backups are also important so you can recover if malware like ransomware encrypts your files. Be cautious with downloads, email attachments, and links, and use reputable security software and a firewall to add layers of defense. This covers why malware is not just harmless software, not something limited to hardware, and not confined to mobile devices.

The idea in the best choice is that malware is indeed malicious software, and practical steps like updating software, making backups, and being careful with downloads are effective ways to reduce risk.