Malware has become the name for any type of malicious software such as spyware, adware, or viruses that harm your computer's performance or security. Most malware infections stem from Internet activity which include downloading files or even browsing Internet sites. Most measures for protecting against malware focus on ways to make Internet browsing more secure. Various symptoms can be associated with malware, so anyone (or a combination) of the following symptoms could be good indicators of malware infection.
For more information about the computers and indicators of an infected computer, see the article How to Identify and Repair Malware or Virus Infected Computers.
For detailed information about malware, see the Wikipedia entry on malware:
A malware infection can cause computer performance issues, corrupt files on the computer, compromise the security of personal information and files that are stored in the computer, and so on.
Determine if you have security software that is already installed on your computer. If so, see your vendor for information about removal of malware.
To determine if you have security software, check the System Tray in the bottom-right corner of your screen for a security icon. McAfee icons are typically red with a large letter "M" in the center of the icon.
Dell computers can ship with McAfee Security Center or McAfee LiveSafe, either as a 30-day trial version or subscriptions of up to 36 months. Registration of the product is part of the Windows first-time startup process for your personal computer. Accept the End-User License Agreement (EULA) and supply your email address for registration. No further action is required.
The Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool accurately detects and removes about 80% of known viruses and spyware from your computer.
Learn more about Windows Defender firewall settings with Microsoft article, Turn Microsoft Defender Firewall on or off .
You can find many home security products available for download on our main Dell website. Select Products, then select Software -> Anti-Virus and Security.
If you do not have or do not want to purchase any Internet security software, Windows 10 includes comprehensive security software. Go to the Windows Security Hub to preview and get support.
There are best practices and guidelines that can minimize your exposure to infection. See the articles below for more information about these.
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