What are 3 signs you might have malware on your computer?

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What are 3 signs you might have malware on your computer

Having malware on your computer can cause a lot of problems. Malware is malicious software that is designed to infect, damage or gain access to your device without your consent. Malware comes in many forms including viruses, spyware, ransomware, trojans, worms, adware and more. If you suspect your computer has been infected with malware, here are 3 common signs to look out for:

1. Computer runs slower than usual

One of the most obvious signs of a malware infection is if your computer starts running slower than normal. Malware infections can slow down your computer in a variety of ways:

  • Malware running in the background can consume CPU cycles and RAM, reducing available resources.
  • Some malware installs cryptocurrency miners that max out your CPU usage.
  • Malware can modify system files and settings in a way that degrades performance.
  • Malware activity like scanning files, connecting to command servers, etc also uses system resources.

If you notice your computer lagging, applications taking longer to load, and overall sluggish performance, it could mean there is malware installed.

2. Programs start crashing or freezing

Another sign of possible malware infection is instability of your programs and operating system. Some examples include:

  • Apps randomly crash or close unexpectedly.
  • The computer randomly freezes requiring a hard reboot.
  • Web browsers close tabs unexpectedly or won’t load pages properly.
  • The operating system becomes unresponsive forcing you to restart.

Malware often interferes with the normal operation of software and the operating system. Instability like program crashes could indicate malicious software, spyware or a virus infection disrupting normal function.

3. Weird activity on computer

Malware may also cause strange activity on the computer that is not normal:

  • Pop-up ads appear out of nowhere.
  • Your browser opens to unusual pages or ads.
  • New toolbars, browser add-ons or extensions were installed without your consent.
  • You are redirected to unwanted sites when clicking links.
  • New programs or files show up that you did not download.
  • Your homepage or search engine was changed unexpectedly.
  • You notice unwanted activity on accounts, like social media posts you did not create.

Unwanted or unexplainable activity on your computer is a red flag for malware. Beware if you notice your computer doing things you did not initiate or authorize.

Other signs of a possible malware infection

Here are some other indicators that malware may be present on your device:

  • Your antivirus program warns of infection or quarantines suspicious files.
  • You notice unknown processes running in the Task Manager.
  • Your firewall warns you of suspicious network activity.
  • You get frequent error messages or warnings, especially related to malware.
  • Fake security alerts appear warning your system is infected.
  • You can’t access certain websites and get messages they are unsafe or blocked.
  • Friends say they received spam emails from you, which you did not send.

How to check for malware

If you notice any of the signs above, it’s a good idea to thoroughly scan your computer for malware. Here are some tips to detect infections:

  • Run a full system scan with updated antivirus software.
  • Download and run a secondary on-demand antivirus scanner for a second opinion.
  • Check for unknown or unusual programs installed in Add/Remove Programs.
  • Look for browser extensions, addons and toolbars you don’t remember installing.
  • Check your browser homepage, default search engine and other settings.
  • Look at running processes in the Task Manager for anything suspicious.
  • Inspect network connections in your firewall for unusual activity.
  • Review autorun items and scheduled tasks using msconfig or similar tools.

Being vigilant for malware signs and using security tools can help you detect and remove infections before they cause too much damage.

3 common malware infections to watch for

1. Viruses

Computer viruses are programs designed to self-replicate and spread between files or systems. Common signs of a virus include:

  • Degraded system performance.
  • Unusual activity like strange messages or popups.
  • Anti-virus warning of an infection.
  • Corrupted files or programs not working properly.

Viruses can damage files and settings or allow remote access for further infection. Often spread via email, downloads or infected removable drives.

2. Spyware

Spyware gathers data about you and transmits it without your consent. Signs may include:

  • New, unknown toolbars, browser extensions or other programs.
  • More pop-up ads than usual.
  • Redirection to unwanted sites when clicking links.
  • Warnings about spyware from security programs.
  • Sluggish browsing performance.

Spyware can monitor your activity, gather sensitive data like passwords, and reload ads and unwanted pages. Often included with freeware.

3. Ransomware

Ransomware encrypts your files until a ransom is paid. Common signs include:

  • Files becoming corrupted and inaccessible.
  • Messages demanding payment to unlock files.
  • Being locked out of your computer entirely.
  • Warnings from security software about suspicious encryption.

Ransomware can be devastating by making your important data permanently unrecoverable. Often spread through malicious email attachments and downloads.

How to prevent malware infections

Here are some tips to improve your security and avoid malware threats:

  • Install a reliable antivirus program and keep it updated.
  • Be wary of phishing emails and don’t click suspicious links/attachments.
  • Avoid visiting shady websites or downloading from unknown sources.
  • Use a firewall and keep your operating system and software current with the latest patches.
  • Make periodic backups of important data to external storage media.
  • Use strong passwords and enable multi-factor authentication when possible.
  • Don’t connect to unknown public Wi-Fi or click ads/popups online.
  • Disable browser extensions you don’t need.

Staying vigilant about security practices will reduce your risk significantly. But no system is completely immune, so watch for signs of infection.

How to remove malware from your computer

If your computer is infected, here are some steps to help remove the malware:

  1. Disconnect the infected computer from the internet and network to prevent spreading.
  2. Boot into Safe Mode to disable startup items and malware processes.
  3. Run a full scan with your installed antivirus program.
  4. Download and run secondary scanners like Malwarebytes to double-check.
  5. Check for unknown or suspicious programs installed and uninstall anything suspicious.
  6. Scan again to verify the malware has been removed.
  7. Change passwords that may have been compromised while infected.
  8. Restore any corrupted files or settings from a clean backup.

If the malware persists and conventional scanners cannot remove it, you may need to reinstall your operating system and restore data from backups. Expert help may be required in severe infections unresponsive to scanning tools.

Conclusion

Malware can sneak onto your computer in many ways, but is usually detectable through common signs like performance issues, instability, and weird activity. Stay vigilant for malware warning signs and keep your computer protected. Learn how to remove infections to limit any damage caused. But your best defense against malware is proactive prevention through security tools and smart computing practices.