Top 5 Symptoms Of Malware Infection If My Computer Has A Virus

 

Antivirus software is intended to prevent and protect from all sorts of infections and threats. If you have not installed reliable security software or something that manages to defend your computer, it is crucial to be able to identify the signs of a computer virus.

In this blog, we will discuss the frequent symptoms of a computer virus, how you can check if it is caused by malware, and what you should do if you find an infection.

1. Your Web Browser Has New Extensions You Forget Installing

Some extensions are lawful and can add useful functionality to your web browser, others are much less considerable. Some extensions are noted to gather private data about your browsing history, which may be sold to third-party advertisers. Others are poorly coded and hold critical security flaws that are a risk to your system. If you see a new browser extension that you don’t remember installing, there is a chance of malware on your system.

Possible solutions

Uninstall The Extension From PC

Most extensions are unified into your browser and not installed on your system, Still check your PC first. To uninstall the extension from your computer:
● Press Windows Key + I.
● Click Apps.
● Down the list to the bottom to find the name of the extension.
● Select the program and click Uninstall.

Follow the steps until the uninstallation is complete. If the extension can not be uninstalled from your system or your browser, it is malware.

2. Antivirus Software Is Disabled And You Can Not Re-enable

Antivirus software is crucial in safeguarding your computer against thousands of new malware that are engineered every single day. There are many fatigues of malware that can disable your antivirus software, thwart it from updating and avert it from running scans. Permanently disabled antivirus software is a common sign of malware. If you are receiving warning messages about your system being unprotected or observed your antivirus software behaving abnormally, you are dealing with malware.

Possible solutions: Check Windows Defender Security Center

Windows will surely alert you if it detects that your antivirus has been disabled and provide you with some options to resolve the issue. To see these notifications:

● Press the Windows key.
● Type “Windows Defender Security Center” and open it.
● View your notifications and work through the dialog boxes to resolve as required.

Restart your PC
Operating system and software updates can sometimes disturb the functionality of definite antivirus solutions. Restart your PC and see whether the issue is fixed.
Check for viruses with a portable scanner

A portable scanner is antivirus software that you can operate right from a USB flash drive. Because portable scanners are not installed locally on your system, they usually can’t be disabled by viruses.

3. Your Computer Is Slow To Boot And Open Programs

A sluggish computer is a genuine sign your computer has a virus. While there are dozens of factors that could potentially affect the performance of your PC, malware is the most concerning.

Some types of malware allow cybercriminals to tackle the power of your computer and use it as a hoax (say, carrying out a DDoS attack or mining for cryptocurrency), which can have a significant impact on performance.

Possible solutions: Close any applications you’re not using
You can see which applications are using the most memory, CPU and bandwidth via the Task Manager, which you can access by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
Free up some disk space

Low disk space can cause performance problems. To check your storage space, click Start, type “This PC”, open the application, and have a look at the free space available on your drive(s).

If you’re running low on space, you might need to consider deleting some files, uninstalling unnecessary applications, expanding your internal storage or transferring some files to an external drive.

Clean your computer

The build-up of dust can also affect your PC’s performance. If the case or laptop vents are coated with dust, the fan wrangles to scatter heat, which affects the overall efficiency of your computer.

Take a moment to brush off any dust that has accumulated in your system, invest in some compressed air, and gently run a vacuum cleaner over any exposed vents.
If your computer is relatively modern and is still running slow after performing the above checks, it might be time to check for malware.

4. Friends Receiving Spam Messages From You

Social media platforms are popular hunting grounds for cybercriminals. Uneven functioning on your system is a genuine sign of a computer virus.

If your friends receive strange messages from you or seen you posting weird comments, if your account is not compromised then your computer is infected with malware.
Possible solutions: Log out from the compromised account on all your devices

Might be you left your account logged in on other devices, which someone may be operating without your knowledge or consent. Otherwise, that device may have a virus that is meddling with your account or malicious actors may have been able to gain access to your account.

● Log out of Facebook across all devices
● Log out of Twitter across all devices
● Log out of Instagram across all devices

Change your password

Enter your current password and your new password. Once you have confirmed your new password, you will be logged out on all devices where you were earlier logged in. After logging out of your accounts, change your password to avert the unauthorized user from simply logging back in again. Remember that passwords should be random, unique for every account, and the longer you can make them, the better.

Enable 2FA
Two-factor authentication provides an extra layer of security that can reduce the risk of someone gaining access to your account.

With 2FA enabled, you’ll not only need your username and password to login to your account but also an additional piece of information that proves your identity. This information is typically delivered via text message or an authenticator app.

5. Your Internet Connection Looks Slower Than Usual

A slow Internet connection or unusually high network activity can contribute to malware. There are many kinds of malware that can hijack your Internet connection and use your bandwidth to carry out infelicitous activities. In critical cases, you may lose connectivity altogether.

Possible solutions: Check your downloads

Ensure you are not downloading large files in the background and check if there are any programs that are downloading updates. Ask other people on the network if they are downloading large files.

Monitor Network Traffic

Windows comes with a couple of handy tools you can use to keep an eye on current network traffic and get a better idea of the applications that might be affecting your connection.

● Task manager: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the task manager and have a look at the Network column. Here, you can see how much bandwidth each application is using. To close a program, right-click on a process and click End task.

● Network and Internet Settings: Press Windows key + I to access Windows Settings, click Network & Internet, click Data Usage and select a connection from the Overview section. Here, you can see how much data each application has used in the last 30 days.

If you are still unable to detect and fix antivirus related issues on your own behalf, you can directly call us at Antivirus Tech Support Helpline Number. Our experts will inspect all the issues and provide the best solutions instantly.
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