Cybersecurity refers to the safety of information when online. This includes our identity, our personal data, and our financial assets.

Cybersecurity means that 1) your personal data is accessible only to you or others you authorize, and that 2) your devices—laptops, desktop computers, mobile phones, tablets work properly and are free from malware.

Malware is malicious software that can damage or steal data from electronic devices. It can be installed without the user’s knowledge and spreads by duplicating itself and hiding in a device's data files, or through email attachments, text messages, and file-sharing programs.

⚠️Malware can:

• cause devices to become locked or unusable
• steal, delete, or encrypt data
• spy on online activities
• hold devices hostage

Common types of malware are viruses, spyware, ransomware, worms, trojan horses, adware, and crypto miners.

A user can protect against malware by:

1. ✅ Avoid opening items from websites and email messages unless they are certain that they come from a legitimate source.
2. ✅ Keep their software and security features up to date. Symptoms of malware are
   • sudden loss of disk space
   • unusually slow computer speeds
   • repeated system crashes
   • changed browser settings
   • increased unwanted internet activity
3. ✅ Use reputable antivirus and anti-malware tools to detect and remove threats.

📌Types of Malware:

1. Viruses - Malicious code that attaches to legitimate files and spreads when executed.
2. Worms - Self-replicating programs that spread across networks without user intervention.
3. Trojan Horses - Malicious software disguised as legitimate programs, tricking users into execution.
4. Ransomware - Encrypts user data and demands payment for decryption.
5. Spyware - Secretly monitors user activity and collects sensitive information.
6. Adware - Displays unwanted advertisements and may track browsing behavior.