5 Signs Your Computer Might be Infected
Is your computer behaving strangely? Are there boxes popping up on your screen, telling you that your computer is infected? There are numerous signs your device may have a virus, this includes slow performance and certain types of pop-ups.
Computer viruses act similarly to flu viruses: It’s highly infectious, you feel weak, you need some time to rest than usual and it’s hard to do even the simple daily tasks. Furthermore, computer viruses interfere with the performance of the device by cloning itself and extending it throughout the operating system. Viruses can impair programs, clear out files and reformat or delete your hard drive. As a result, your system will be crashed and its performance is slower than usual. Also, hackers can make use of viruses to gain access to your personal information to rob and destroy your data.
As society becomes more dependent on technology and computer viruses are becoming diverse as its computer users, it’s essential to be vigilant on the signs of infections. There are thousands of new viruses emerge each year and can damage devices and operating system in various ways. However, you can spot certain signs if your computer is prone to infections.
Here are the 5 signs your computer might be infected:
1. Changes to your homepage without your consent
Does your homepage accidentally switch to another website? Aren’t you able to reset it? If so, it might be a red flag that you should investigate immediately as it could lead to malware infection. Viruses can execute changes to your homepage and produce error messages, browser errors, and shortcut files.
2. Endless pop-ups and spam
Unexpected and constant pop-ups are typical warnings of a malware infection that can inflict havoc on your computer. Pop-ups might trigger you to visit other websites and invite you to download antivirus or different software programs which rather cause you to install malware.
In this particular scenario, countless pop-up windows that trouble your internet browsing is not only the main issue but it’s also hard to eliminate them from your system. Also, these pop-ups generally come in packaged with other hidden malware threats and could be more devastating for your OS.
We highly commend you to Never Click on a suspicious pop-up!
3. Unknown toolbars, plug-ins, and programs running on your computer
When a computer is infected, computer viruses can produce widespread problems. If you notice unfamiliar toolbars and programs on your PC, you might download the sneaky programs called PUPs (Potentially Unwanted Programs). They are hostile programs that can do huge damage and make you vulnerable to data leakage, showing annoying ads or pop-ups on the screen, or adding toolbars to your browser.
If unknown programs display when you start up your computer or another connected device, turn it off. You’ve been infiltrated.
4. The system constantly slows down, crashes, and freezes
Do you experience random crashes on your computer? Do your screen freeze and the blue screen show up? That is a ‘blue screen of death’ and could be a sign that your device has been contaminated with a virus.
When your system is infected, it freezes or shuts down for no reason and sees odd error messages when you start opening programs and it closes automatically.
5. Continues warning that your system is infected with virus or malware
Hackers made you believe that your computer is being compromised and make you panic. In this way, you will be prompt to download something or provide information that will authenticate yourself.
If it happens you experience seeing a constant warning that your system is infected, just be calm and play it cool. Those pop-up warnings are just a way for cybercriminals to scare you and being panic can make you act on the wrong impulse.
Bottom Line
Don’t make it easy for cybercriminals to infiltrate your computer system. Rather, carefully watch your own activity, keep an eye on your computer activity, make sure that your antivirus software and operating system are updated.
It is the same as wearing a mask or washing your hands daily during flu season. Remember that viruses may hover around, but you can help to safeguard your system so they will have a lesser chance to infect your devices.
