Do You Have a Zombie Lurking in Your Computer This Halloween?

As spooky season approaches, zombies may be on your mind. Have you ever considered that there may be a zombie in your own home? No, not last year's costume in the back of your closet or the classic horror movie on your streaming app. We're talking about your computer becoming a "zombie," infected with malware and controlled by hackers who want your personal information.

Like a zombie lurks in the shadows, malware on your computer is not always easy to detect. But here are warning signs to be aware of:

• Your computer moves at a zombie-like pace. It's noticeably slower or crashes frequently.
• Strange appearances. You find email messages in your "sent" folder that you didn't send.
• Browser hauntings. Your web browser crashes frequently for no apparent reason.
• It won't die. It takes longer to shut down or restart your computer.

Sometimes, it's hard to tell how digital zombies infect computers. The internet can be like the one house in the neighborhood that everyone avoids. Visiting a malicious website, clicking a link, or downloading a file can allow hackers to creep through your files, ready to snatch your personal information, such as passwords and financial data.

Once inside your computer, hackers can feast on your information, leading to identity theft and financial fraud. Although this is a frightening reality, PACU's Fraud and BSA departments are your ghostbusters. They actively monitor and investigate transactions for potential fraud and act as an extra set of eyes to try and stop hackers from haunting your computer. Our Fraud Ambassador Program also arms our teammates with the latest tactics in fraud prevention.

What can you do to prevent your computer from becoming a zombie?

• Use antivirus software and keep it updated.
• Install updates for your operating system and application software as they become available.
• Set your computer's firewall to its highest security level.

Your antivirus software might be able to detect and deal with malware, but hackers are relentlessly trying to get around antivirus protections. If you think your computer has fallen victim to a digital zombie attack, you may need to erase your hard drive and reinstall your operating system and applications. Backing up your computer regularly is always a good idea to ensure you don't erase anything important when restarting your computer.

Don't fall for a trick thinking it's a treat. Keep your computers zombie-free this Halloween by remembering to delete spam emails without opening them and avoid clicking on links or downloading suspicious attachments. If you spot anything unusual with your accounts, call us immediately at 800.433.7228.