Does your pc act strange? You may have malware, but you can get rid of it. Unfortunately, most PCs start to slow down when they have malware. When installed programs interact with each other, it may seem to be acting peculiar. However, sometimes the weird behavior or slow system is a visible and outward sign of a terrible and inward malware infestation. How can you tell that you have a malware issue? The warning signs below can help you know if malware has compromised your security. Even with malware protection installed, it does not mean you should ignore any warning signs. Software is not as perfect, and a new malware attack can slip past security.
1. Your browser keeps getting redirected
Are you trying to reach Google, and it takes you to a search site that is not familiar? It means there is a problem. Although not all sites redirect is malicious, such a case is a serious one. Sometimes the redirection may be less noticeable to know whether it is fake or real. For example, a banking Trojan can divert your browser to a fraudulent site that looks similar to your banks’ official site. In such a case, the unfamiliar URL in the address bar is your only clue. If it happens as you stream a movie, ensure you are using the reliable thepirateproxybay.com. Therefore, if you suspect a problem, check into your browser setting and delete or disable any extensions you did not install deliberately, as redirection attacks rely on browser extensions.
2. Mysterious posts appear on social media
It is easy to tell malware is focused on various social media sites. Malware focused on Facebook is popular as it propagates by generating fake posts. The fake posts have an inflammatory statement, which grabs the attention of the many users on the platform. Anyone who sees this statement and falls for the eye-catching fake headline, and clicks the link, is the malware’s next victim. Unfortunately, most people do, and the malware spreads fast around the many users to their devices.
3. Pop Ads start popping everywhere
This has happened to many people, but today, they are not as common as they were. The adware programs bombard victims with advertisements in form of pop-ups. Sometimes the ads are for legitimate products, netting a fee for the adware culprits. In other cases, they contain links to malicious websites that drop more malware to your PC. If you notice these pop-ups that were not there before, get your PC checked to get rid of the malware.
4. You get ransom demands
Some malware programs hold your data or PC for ransom literally. For instance, some ransomware threats encrypt all your documents and pictures and demand a ransom to gain access back. Others make it unclear what they are doing. For instance, they may display a warning from an agency, claiming your computer was used to send spam, and demand that you pay a fine before you get to use it again. Unfortunately, you may pay and not get your documents back. Security suites and antivirus apps should protect against malware use them for safety purposes.
5. Unknown apps sending scary messages
Unfortunately, the creation and distribution of scareware or fake antivirus programs is a lucrative business. To get the antivirus into your system. The perpetrators use sneaky techniques or drive-by downloads to display scary warning messages about made-up threats. To “fix” the problem, you have to register a payment before the fraudulent tool offers a solution. And of course, since it is of no use, scanning for malware with fake antivirus is fast to do.
6. Everything seems perfectly normal
Sometimes the malware is not as obvious as in other cases as they do their best to hide all activity, with no traces. Therefore, even when you do not notice anything unusual. There is a possibility a bot on your system is quietly waiting for instructions from its control system and command. It may be any form of spyware such as remote access Trojan harvesting your data. Therefore, it is best to check your PC often in case there is any unsuspected malware.