What is Malware?

Malware is like a computer virus that sneaks into your computer or phone and causes trouble. The word “malware” is short for “malicious software,” which means it’s a type of software created to harm or do bad things to your device. Just like how a cold virus can make you sick, malware can make your computer or phone act up.

Malware can come from different places. Sometimes it hides in emails or downloads that look safe but aren’t. Other times, it might sneak in when you visit certain websites. Once it gets into your device, it can do all sorts of bad things, like stealing your personal information, making your computer run slowly, or even taking control of your device without you knowing!

The good news is that there are ways to protect yourself from malware. Just like washing your hands helps prevent you from getting sick, using antivirus software and being careful about what you click on can keep your devices safe. Always make sure to download apps and files from trusted sources, and never open emails or links from people you don’t know.