Financial Wellness
How to Protect Yourself from Malware
We all know scammers are getting more sophisticated every day. One of their biggest tricks is using malware—malicious software designed to steal your personal or financial information. Here's how to spot it, stop it, and protect your devices.
Keep malware out
The best defense against malware is prevention. Here's what you can do to stay safe:- Keep your security software updated. Make sure your computer has trusted antivirus, antispyware, and a firewall. Set all your software, browsers, and operating systems to update automatically.
- Think before you click. Don't click links or open email attachments unless you're certain they're safe—even if they seem to come from someone you know.
- Download only from trusted sites. Free games or toolbars often come bundled with malware. Stick to reputable sources.
- Use pop-up blockers. Never click links in pop-up messages. Close them using the "X" in the corner.
- Ignore scareware. If you see an unexpected ad claiming your device is infected, don't click it. Scammers use these fake alerts to spread malware.
- Back up regularly. Save copies of your important files offline in case something goes wrong.
Spot the warning signs
Sometimes malware sneaks through even the toughest defenses. Your device might be infected if it:- Runs slower than usual or crashes often.
- Displays strange pop-ups or sends messages you didn't write.
- Installs new toolbars or changes your homepage without your permission.
Reminder:
If your device starts acting strange, don't ignore it. Malware often starts small before creating bigger problems.
Strengthen your protection
To make it even harder for malware to spread:- Use strong access controls. Only use administrator accounts when absolutely necessary.
- Install updates quickly. Patches fix known security holes.
- Turn off untrusted Office macros and Flash or Java content. These are common ways hackers break in.
- Use multi-factor authentication (MFA). Adding another verification step keeps your accounts safer.
If you think you're infected
If you suspect malware, stop doing anything sensitive online—like banking or shopping—until your device is clean.Then:
- Update your security software and run a full scan. Delete anything flagged as a threat.
- Restart your device and scan again to confirm it's clean.
- If problems remain, contact your device manufacturer or a trusted tech support provider.
- As a last resort, reinstall your operating system after backing up your files. This guarantees a clean start.
Remember:
We will never contact you asking for account information. Never give out your credentials, card number, or security code. If you are not sure if a message or call is legitimate, do not reply. If ever in doubt, call our fraud hotline at 866-56-TOWER.
Stay one step ahead
Once your system is secure again, think about what might have caused the infection so you can avoid it next time. Most malware infections happen when someone:- Clicks a phishing email or fake ad.
- Downloads files from sketchy sites.
- Uses infected external drives or file-sharing services.
Resources: eFraud Prevention, The Federal Trade Commission, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Cyber_Buddy
