Everyone would prefer to get a permanent ‘yes’ response from their computer, and for the most part they do, but sometimes they do exhibit ‘kerfuffle’s.’ An app doesn’t respond the way it did yesterday, or you get error windows in places you never did before. What is that all about? As one of ITFirm.com’s senior technicians said, that just ‘normal computer crap,’
However, there are signs to be aware of that do not denote ‘normal computer crap’ – things that may be more serious. What are the warning signs that your computer has a real problem?
The first sign is that your computer becomes sluggish - slow to respond to commands, open documents, and load web pages (which could also be a browser or website issue). It could simply be age – if your computer is five to eight years old, it may just be showing its wear and tear. Perhaps your RAM (Random Access Memory) is still at the old standard of 4GB, which doesn’t really cut it anymore with the size of modern programs and the complexity of website’s displays.
BUT, it may very well be a malware/virus infection. If it is a company computer, there is cause for concern, but no reason to panic. Notify your IT support department or outsourced Managed IT Services to run a check and remove the malware.
However, if you are a consumer with problems on your home computer, a little alarm would be appropriate. You can try running Windows Defender, offers only basic security protection and may not find a sophisticated virus. If you have someone that works on your computer, call them ASAP. If not, you are stuck with using potentially bad IT services by googling up questionable ‘IT Guys’ in your area.
Here are eleven signs that reliably indicate an infection:
1) Boots up and performs internal tasks slowly
This is about non-internet activities. When you press the ‘ON’ button, does it take longer than usual to boot up and display your desktop? Longer to open a Word or Excel file? And then, do you wait longer when you type before the words appear in a document? These are bad signs.
2) Weird noises and hard drive activity
An overly active hard drive will make noise on its own and may be because the virus is busy working. The computer may also produce noises you’ve never heard before. Anything unusual – beeping is a bad sign – is cause for concern.
3) Your storage is suddenly maxed-out
Some malwares copy files or create new data in the system which use up storage space. These files are hard to find – they don’t name themselves ‘virus’. If you do a file search, don’t just start deleting files in sensitive areas like your registry.
4) Error messages and crashes
These are signs that get right up in your face. Apps typically do not just crash or start producing error messages on their own. It could be a problem with a recent update (happens frequently with Microsoft updates), but there’s a good chance that the virus has introduced a malicious code into your computer.
5) Suspicious email activity
A hardworking virus wants to go forth and multiply, spreading its malicious message to as many people as it can find. Where does it look for these potential victims? It will start with your address book. If colleagues or friends start asking about strange emails ‘you’ sent them, you can be sure that malware is doing it.
6) Unusual Browser performance
If the entire browser is sluggish, but especially if your home page has been redirected to a spam site. This is indicative of malware.
7) Pop-up windows
Even though you have a pop-up blocker, you suddenly start getting pop-up ads. Yet another sure sign of infection. Even if the pop-up tells you ‘A virus has been detected’ DO NOT CLICK ON THEM!
8) Missing files
If you worked on something yesterday and today you can’t find it - even with a file search, something is very wrong. Malware routinely takes, moves, or deletes files.
9) Unusually high network activity
Viruses have a purpose. They don’t just get inside your computer and sit there. They are busy bees behind the scenes: copying and exfiltrating your data, grabbing your email to send scams to everyone in your address book, and so forth. They work your system very hard – typically much harder than you do. If you have good IT support, they will have noticed this – probably before you do.
10) Disabled security features
You get a legitimate window that says your firewall is turned off. BUT, when you go to turn it on, you can’t. This is a form of virus self-preservation.
11) Unplanned reboots
Perhaps the most aggravating sign of all. While you’re busy working, your system shuts down and restarts on its own. This could be a hardware issue, as most modern computers are designed to shut down if internal components like the processor get too hot. This may go hand in hand with a strange noise – such as the fan going out. But many malwares cause this to happen as well.
If you are seeing one or several of these signs, alert your IT services provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a 100% free antivirus?
A: Yes, there are several, but there’s no such thing as a free lunch – you get what you pay for. Most free antiviruses only offer the most basic protection. Cyber crooks are too smart to let that stop them. Free AV is dangerous because it inspires complacency through a false sense of security.
How long does a virus scan take?
A: Most AV scanners offer at least two scan versions: 1) a partial scan – just your main drives, which can take as little as 15 to 30 minutes - or 2) a full system scan which can take several hours, depending the amount of memory and space on the hard drive you have.
How often should you do a full scan on your computer?
A: The general rule is to perform a full system scan at least once a week.
What license is required for Windows 365?
A: According to Microsoft Windows 365 FAQs, “Customers can purchase directly from Windows365.com, set up their account without a domain and provision and manage their Cloud PCs directly from the Windows 365 homepage on the web. No other Microsoft licenses are required—simply provide a credit card number to get started.”
How can I remove virus from my computer without antivirus?
A: HT Tech offers a step-by-step procedure HERE.
What is the most common computer virus?
A: ProofPoint lists the most prevalent viruses and explains the differences HERE.
Is your network secure?
As a longstanding, reputable member of the Charlotte IT Support community, ITFirm.com offers a FREE, no-risk network and security assessment. We perform a non-intrusive scan that allows us to deliver a comprehensive report of the state of your system and its vulnerabilities that is yours to keep. There are no strings attached, and you are under no obligation to ever use our IT Services.
The two best defenses are next-generation Cybersecurity to protect your data from theft, and a top-notch Managed Services Provider to ensure continued reliability and defenses against newly emerging threats.
We put our 100% Money Back Guarantee in writing, so there is no risk in trying us out. Because we do not require a ‘hard’ contract, our clients can fire us at any time with 30 days’ notice. We have to be good.
Among the Managed IT services we provide:
IT HelpDesk Service
Onsite IT Support
Cybersecurity
Cloud migration and management
Email migration services
Backup and disaster recovery
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IT disposition and recycling
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