This is why it’s so important to have antivirus software that recognizes and helps remove malicious software. Malware that you might not realize is on your device could be capturing data as you log into online accounts, finding valuable personal information stored on your device, or even turning on your webcam without your permission.
Just as different types of software perform different functions, so different types of malware can perform different jobs, whether they make themselves apparent or run on your device while hiding in the background. Unlike the old days, when malware like viruses often announced themselves by displaying messages or by giving your computer the “blue screen of death,” many types of malware today can hide without producing any tell-tale symptoms of an infection. Some types of malware “announce” themselves, while others can hide on your device
