Malware myths and what to do if you suspect an infection

The National Cyber Security Center (NCSC) Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) recently published an article on the myths surrounding malware:

• Can opening an email or website infect my device?

• Are macOS systems better protected against cyberattacks?

• Does antivirus software protect against all infections?

• How can you tell if your device is infected?

• Recommendations

The conclusion is that with an up-to-date operating system and software with security updates, the risk of infection is limited. However, it is usually the user’s behaviour that is the entry point for infections, especially if they click on links without first checking their destination and if they run downloaded software, ignoring the warnings issued by the system.

The best protection against malware is therefore educating users to be cautious, especially when receiving e-mails from unknown senders or visiting unfamiliar websites.