Things That Tell You That You Have A Malware Problem

Malware is an umbrella term that encompasses many different types of malicious code. It can include:

• Viruses
• Ransomware
• Spyware
• Trojans
• Adware
• Key loggers
• And more

The longer the malware remains unchecked on the system, the greater the damage it can do. Most types of malware have built-in directives to spread to as many systems as possible. Therefore, if detected and not removed immediately, one computer can quickly infect 10 other computers on the same network.

Early detection is important to disconnect infected devices from the network and have a professional clean them properly. Be aware of these important warning signs of malware infection so that you can take action to mitigate the risk.

STRANGE POPUPS ON YOUR DESKTOP

Some types of malware can impersonate antivirus apps or warranty notifications that appear on your screen.

Hackers try to imitate what a user might have seen from a legitimate program to increase their chances of clicking without thinking. If you start seeing strange, meaningless “antivirus renewal” subscription warnings or extended warranty, these may indicate that your PC is infected with adware or other types of malware.

NEW SLUGGISH BEHAVIOR

Your computer can slow down for several reasons, including: If you have too many browser tabs open at the same time, or if you are running a memory-intensive program.

But usually, you know your computer and what slows it down. If you notice unusual new, dull behavior, it may be an infection.

For example, it may freeze even if you don’t have any programs other than Notepad or other simple apps open. When malware runs in the background, it often consumes system resources and slows down the system.

APPLICATIONS START CRASHING

The application should not crash suddenly. There is always a reason. There may be a bug in the software, a problem with the update, or something else ruining the files in this application.

If your app suddenly crashes and you need to restart your app or restart your system, it’s another sign that a virus, Trojan horse, or other malicious code has been introduced.

YOUR BROWSER HOME PAGE IS REDIRECTED

If you open your browser and access a home page that is not normally displayed, scan your PC for malware immediately. Home page redirects are a common trick for certain types of malware.

The malware infects the system and changes the system settings of the default browser homepage. This can lead to websites full of pop-up ads and other types of phishing websites.

Attempting to reset the home page in the settings does not fix the situation. It is important to remove the malware.

SUDDEN REBOOTS

Another annoying feature of certain types of malicious code is rebooting the system without warning.

This can result in the loss of work that has just been completed and can make it difficult to do anything. This can happen if the malware modifies core system files in the background.

Corrupted files often lead to system instability and unexpected reboots.

YOU’RE MISSING HARD DRIVE SPACE

If you notice that most of the previously open hard drive space is gone, it may be a malware infection that is occupying disk space.

Some types of malware can make copies of files or introduce new files to your system. Don’t expect the word “malware” to appear in file searches, as they are good at hiding.

Instead, dangerous activity is usually hidden by a generic name that is mistaken for a regular system file.

YOU RUN ACROSS CORRUPTED FILES

If you open a file and find it corrupted, it could be a warning sign that ransomware or some other form of malware has infected your system.

Files can get corrupted for other reasons, but this is a serious problem and should be thoroughly scanned if you find malware.

PC “PROCESSING SOUNDS” WHEN THERE SHOULDN’T BE

Most of us are familiar with those “thinking sounds” when our computer is processing something memory intensive. You’ll usually hear a type of whirring that will go away once you finish that activity.

If you begin hearing this processing sound when you’re not doing anything particularly intense on your computer, this could be a sign that malware is running in the background and it should be checked out.

GET EXPERT MALWARE SCANNING & REMOVAL

Free online malware and virus scans are not very reliable. Instead, contact an expert to ensure that your entire system is properly cleaned.