- Slow Performance
One of the earliest and most noticeable symptoms of a malware infection is a significant decrease in your computer’s performance. Programs may take much longer to load, and your operating system could become sluggish. This happens because malware uses your system resources to carry out its malicious tasks in the background.
How to Check: Open Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (Mac) and check if any unknown or suspicious processes are consuming high CPU or memory usage.
- Frequent Freezes or Crashes
If your computer frequently freezes, crashes, or displays the dreaded Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), this could be a sign of malware corrupting system files or interfering with your operating system.
How to Check: Pay attention to the error messages that appear during crashes. If they seem unusual or frequent, it’s worth investigating further.
- Unexpected Pop-ups and Ads
Unwanted pop-up ads appearing even when you’re not browsing the web is a classic symptom of adware infection. Malicious pop-ups can lead to more malware if clicked, spreading infections across your system.
How to Check: If pop-ups persist even when your browser is closed, or you’re seeing ads on websites that are typically ad-free, you may be infected.
- Unusual Network Activity
Malware can hijack your network to communicate with remote servers, steal your data, or download additional threats. Unusually high network activity when you’re not using the internet is a potential sign of infection.
How to Check: Monitor your network usage using your operating system’s network monitor or a firewall tool. Any suspicious or unexplained activity should be investigated.
- New, Unwanted Programs or Files
If you notice new software installed on your system that you don’t remember installing, or if strange files appear on your desktop or system folders, it’s a red flag.
How to Check: Regularly review installed applications and programs, especially after an unusual event like a pop-up or crash. Remove any programs that seem suspicious or unknown.
- Browser Redirects
A common sign of a malware infection is being redirected to unfamiliar websites, particularly ones filled with ads, after clicking on legitimate links or even typing in standard URLs.
How to Check: If your browser’s homepage or default search engine changes without your permission, this is a common symptom of browser hijackers.
- Disabled Security Software
Some malware is sophisticated enough to disable or bypass your antivirus and security software. If your antivirus is suddenly turned off, cannot update, or if firewall settings are mysteriously altered, your system may be infected.
How to Check: Regularly check your antivirus software to ensure it’s running properly. If you can’t turn it on or access it, malware could be at play.
- High Disk Activity for No Reason
If your hard drive or SSD light is constantly blinking, even when you aren’t using any intensive applications, malware could be accessing your files, spying on your activities, or mining cryptocurrency.
How to Check: Open Task Manager or Activity Monitor and look for unexplained spikes in disk usage. Malware often masquerades under innocent-sounding names, so be diligent in checking.
How to Deal with a Malware or Virus Infection
If you suspect your computer is infected with malware or a virus, act quickly to prevent further damage. Here’s how you can deal with it:
- Run a Full Antivirus Scan
Your first line of defense is your antivirus software. Run a full system scan to detect and remove any malicious files. If the antivirus software is unable to remove the malware, try running the scan in Safe Mode.
- Use Malware Removal Tools
In addition to antivirus software, use dedicated malware removal tools like Malwarebytes or HitmanPro. These tools are designed specifically to identify and remove a wide range of malware types, including adware, spyware, and Trojans.
- Update Your Software
Ensure that your operating system and all your applications are up-to-date. Often, malware exploits security vulnerabilities in outdated software. Installing the latest patches and updates can help close these loopholes.
- Disconnect from the Internet
If you believe your system is compromised, disconnect from the internet immediately. This will stop the malware from communicating with remote servers, spreading to other devices, or stealing more data.
- Backup Important Files
Before attempting more drastic recovery steps, ensure that your important files are backed up to an external drive or cloud storage. If ransomware is involved, be sure to backup files before the infection gets worse.
- Perform a System Restore
If you’re unable to remove the malware using tools and software, consider performing a System Restore. This will revert your computer to an earlier state, before the infection took place, potentially eliminating the malware.
- Reinstall the Operating System
In extreme cases where the malware has deeply embedded itself into your system, it may be necessary to wipe the computer clean and reinstall the operating system. Make sure you have backups of your important data before doing this.
Prevent Future Infections
Install reputable antivirus software and keep it updated.
Avoid downloading attachments or clicking on links in suspicious emails.
Be cautious of pop-ups and unfamiliar websites.
Regularly update your operating system and other software.
Use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication where possible.
Recognizing the symptoms of a malware or virus infection early can save you from major headaches and data loss. By staying vigilant and taking the proper steps to deal with the infection, you can protect your computer and your valuable data. Make sure to regularly scan your system, update your software, and practice safe browsing habits to avoid future infections.
