{"id":3679,"date":"2026-06-17T16:00:04","date_gmt":"2026-06-17T21:00:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.nu.com\/?p=3679"},"modified":"2026-06-18T15:25:34","modified_gmt":"2026-06-18T20:25:34","slug":"what-is-malware-and-how-can-it-threaten-your-money","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.nu.com\/en\/finances\/safety-cat\/what-is-malware-and-how-can-it-threaten-your-money\/","title":{"rendered":"What is malware and how can it threaten your money"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Malware is software designed to harm your device or steal your data. It can also break into your financial accounts. It doesn’t just slow your computer down. It can intercept your banking credentials and drain your accounts before you notice. Understanding malware is a key step in preventing financial scams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The good news: you don’t need to be a tech expert to protect yourself. Here are five things you need to know about malware and your finances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Five things to know about malware and your finances<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. Malware is software built to harm you<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

“Malware” is short for malicious software. It covers any program built to harm your device or steal your data. The Federal Trade Commission’s guide to malware protection<\/a> offers a good overview of how these threats work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may have heard of viruses. A virus is one type of malware. But the category is bigger than that. It also includes ransomware and spyware, among other threat types.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All viruses are malware, but not all malware is a virus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it doesn’t just target computers. Malware affects phones and tablets too \u2014 the same devices you use to check your balance and send money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. How malware gets onto your phone or computer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Malware needs a way onto your device. According to CISA’s ransomware prevention guide<\/a>, these are the most common entry points:<\/p>\n\n\n\n