Email is the Main Entry Point for Malware and You Must Protect Yourself

Where does the malware arrive? The truth is that there are many methods and strategies that attackers can use to infect our computers, steal data or make systems malfunction. However, there are ways in which you will achieve a greater chance of success. In this article we echo a study that reports which is the most common entry of malicious software in recent months and thus know how to protect ourselves.

Email is the Main Entry Point for Malware

Most threats arrive by email

Email has always been considered one of the most common malware entry points. They can send us attachments that are actually viruses. For example, a simple image or a PDF that when we open them we are executing malicious code that has been designed to steal the keys or install a back door and allow cybercriminals to enter our computer.

But now a study by HP confirms this theory and further claims that it is indeed one of the most common entry routes for malicious software in recent months. Therefore, if malware enters your computer, it is very likely that it is after opening an email that you should not.

Specifically, in the first half of the year 75% of security threats have come through e-mail. It is undoubtedly a more than considerable figure, especially if we take into account that email is something that we use in our day to day constantly.

One of the threats that can arrive in the mail is ransomware . It is the type of malware that encrypts all the files on the computer and can even prevent us from turning on the computer. To solve the problem, the hacker is going to ask us to pay an amount of money to give the access key. It is one of the most serious cybersecurity problems.

They still rely heavily on Word files and vulnerabilities to deliver malware. They usually throw a hook for the victim to open or download those documents that are actually going to contain the payload that the threat is going to execute.

Ataques a través del e-mail

Tips to avoid email malware

It is very important that we are aware of the threats that can arrive by email. Therefore we must be prepared and keep the equipment always safe. The first and most essential is common sense . In most cases these threats are executed after a mistake made by the user. For example, clicking on a link that comes to us by e-mail that is actually a scam, downloading a PDF or Word file that is nothing more than bait, etc. We must always recognize when an email is fake.

We must avoid interacting with emails that we do not know and do not really know if they are going to be a threat or not. Only then can we avoid falling into the trap. After all, cybercriminals are going to need us to do something, so if we don’t download that file or don’t open that link, we’ll have a lot to win.

But it will also be important to have security programs . A good antivirus, such as Windows Defender or using a third-party tool such as Avast, Bitdefender or Kaspersky, will help avoid malware. In case we make a mistake and download what we shouldn’t, you can lock that file and delete it. Keep in mind that there are different email providers and some have their own security methods.

In addition, it is convenient to have the systems updated . These email attacks often exploit security flaws. If we install all the patches and have the latest versions, these errors can be corrected.

Ultimately, email is the main entry point for malware. If we have our account protected, if we avoid making mistakes, we will have a lot of cattle to prevent threats from entering through this means.