Be aware of malware and stay protected

What is malware?

Malware, short for malicious software, consists of programs or files designed to cause extensive damage to your data and device or gain unauthorized access to a network and compromise your personal information. There are many thousands of malware types in existence today, including worms, Trojan horses and ransomware among others.

Can it affect mobile phones?

Yes, mobile malware can infect your mobile phones and damage the device in addition to compromising the security of the data in it.

How will I know if my device has been infected?

Some of the signs of malware infection include:

Your device begins to run slower than usual

Device shows signs of abnormally high usage

Shortage of available storage space

Pop-ups and unwanted programs appear on your device

How can malware be prevented?

Prevention and control of malware today relies on your awareness of the problem and adherence to responsible behavior while using your devices, including the following:

Ensure your device is running the latest version of operating system as it will contain the most recent security updates to protect against known vulnerabilities.

Upload the latest software version by configuring your device settings to automatically receive and load software updates.

Never install any software onto your mobile device unless you know and trust the source of that software.

Download mobile apps only from trusted app stores known for high security standards.

Never ignore or override security prompts displayed by your device unless you are confident that you fully understand the risks associated with these actions.

Never load unauthorized (pirated) copies of software onto your device as these may contain hidden viruses or other malicious code.

Your security