2021-2 What is Malware?

Viruses are malware that aims to obtain your personal and financial information by infecting your tablet, mobile phone or computer with malicious programs such as Worms, Trojan Horses, Ransomware.

How does malware infect your device?

It may infect your device if you open links shared via text message (SMS), email, WhatsApp or social media that lead you to download apps with a variety of gift content (pandemic support, free internet, vaccination appointment, vehicle appraisal report, etc.).

NEWS OF THE MONTH

Acer Suffers One of The Biggest RansomWare Attacks: $50 Million Is Being Demanded

Computer manufacturer Acer has fallen victim to one of the largest ransomware attacks we have ever seen. The attacking hacker group demanded $50 million from the company. It also said there would be a 20% discount if payment was made by Wednesday, March 17. Hackers said they had obtained financial and sensitive data belonging to Acer. If paid, the hacker group will report decryptors and vulnerabilities to Acer and delete the stolen files.

TIP OF THE MONTH

Could your device be infected with malware?

If your device is freezing, slowing down, or heating up very quickly, running out of battery quicker than usual, turns on and off on its own, and unusual situations such as these occur,
If e-mail and SMS applications turn off involuntarily,
If next messages (SMS) cannot be received or incoming text messages cannot be displayed, email or SMS applications gets crashed malware may have infected your device. On the other hand without you noticing one of above malware may have infected your device.

How can we avoid it?

Do not click on links in text messages (SMS), social media ads, WhatsApp messages and emails promising money or gifts, do not open such messages.
Do not install unfamiliar, unsafe apps on your device.
Keep your mobile device and computer’s operating system, antivirus software up to date.
Make sure that your device’s operating system settings turned off for the installation apps from unknown sources,
Notice what information an app you install on your device asks for permission to access, and don’t allow it if it’s unnecessary.

What should you do if your device is infected with malware?

Block internet access to your device.
Remove your mobile device’s SIM card.
After backing up your personal data, contact an authorized technical service to eliminate the malware.
Change passwords of all accounts you access from your device (such as, e-government, banking, e-mail, social media etc.) immediately.