6 Signs Your Computer Is Infected with Malware
In the digital age, computers have become an indispensable part of our lives. However, along with convenience, computers also pose many risks of being attacked by malware. To protect your personal data and systems, it is extremely important to recognize the early signs of malware infection.
Malware not only slows down your computer but can also steal your personal information, bank accounts and cause other damage. This article will help you equip yourself with the necessary knowledge to prevent and handle these threats.
1. Pop-up ads are everywhere
Although not as common as they once were, adware programs are still a significant threat. They often disguise themselves as attractive ads for legitimate products, but are actually part of a nefarious money-making scheme. Every time you accidentally click on one of these ads, the attacker gets a profit. Worse, these ads can contain malicious links that lead you to phishing sites or automatically download other malware.
Many reputable websites use advertising to stay afloat and provide free content to users. This is a common and legitimate business model. However, not all ads you see come from trustworthy sources. If you have ad blocker software installed and are still seeing constant pop-ups, your computer may be infected with adware. This type of malware can bypass standard ad blockers and display ads in an unusual way, even when you are offline.
2. Your browser keeps redirecting
Not all website redirects are a sign of danger. However, if you notice that every time you try to access a familiar search site like Google, you are taken to a completely different site, that is a red flag. What's more dangerous is that sometimes the redirects are so subtle that you hardly notice them. For example, a piece of malware might completely mimic the look and feel of your bank's website, tricking you into entering your personal information into a fake site. Only the address bar will reveal the anomaly.
Many redirection attacks take advantage of the extensions you have installed on your browser. So, if you suspect your computer has been compromised, take a close look at your list of installed extensions. Disable or delete any extensions you don't remember installing or don't use often. This will help you remove one of the "back doors" that hackers can use to attack your system.
3. An unknown app sends scary alerts
Creating and distributing fake antivirus programs (scareware) has become a lucrative cybercrime industry. Attackers use all sorts of sophisticated tricks like email scams or fake websites to sneak scareware into your system.
Once infested, scareware will continuously scan and issue fake security threat alerts, confusing you and forcing you to purchase the “full” version of the fake antivirus software to remove these threats. In reality, you are paying for another piece of malware.
Fake antivirus software scans for malware are completely free and extremely fast, but they are just a trap to trick you. In reality, these software do not scan or remove any viruses. They simply generate fake threat reports to scare you into paying to “fix” non-existent problems. This is a sophisticated scam to steal your money.
4. Mysterious posts appear on your social media platforms
Malware is becoming more sophisticated, targeting popular social networks like Facebook to spread. A common tactic is to create fake posts or direct messages that appeal to users' curiosity. The content of these posts is often very attractive, such as "You won't believe this! Check it out!", followed by a link to a malicious website. If you are not careful, clicking on that link will immediately infect your computer or phone with malware.
5. You receive a ransom demand
Some dangerous types of malware, also known as ransomware, encrypt your data or even your entire computer. Once infiltrated, ransomware will encrypt all your important files such as pictures and documents and demand a ransom to get them back. There are even more sophisticated types of ransomware that encrypt your entire operating system, rendering your computer completely useless.
There are also other types of malware that use scare tactics by displaying fake notices from law enforcement, accusing you of breaking the law and demanding a fine. However, even if you decide to pay the ransom, there is no guarantee that you will get your data back.
6. Computer system tools are disabled
If you suspect your computer has been infected with malware, one of the first things you should do is check your Task Manager or Registry Editor. However, if when you try to access these system tools, you receive a message that says “Disabled by Administrator,” be careful. This could be a sign that malware has infiltrated your system and is trying to prevent you from finding and removing it. Disabling system tools is a sophisticated tactic that many types of malware use to hide themselves and continue causing harm.
