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How To Know If Your Computer Has A Virus

Forbes

4 days ago

Forbes

How To Know If Your Computer Has A Virus

It's important to know the signs of a virus, so that you can act quickly to get rid of any malware ... More and stay safe in future. A virus is a type of malicious software, or malware, that can replicate itself and attach itself to other files or programs in order to spread. Other types of malware, such as Trojans or spyware, use different methods to proliferate. A virus can cause real problems with your PC, slowing its performance, delivering unwanted pop-ups or even stealing your personal or financial information. It's pretty easy for your computer to become infected with a virus if, for example, you click on a link in a phishing email or a dodgy ad. So what are the warning signs that your computer is infected? How Do You Know If Your Computer Has A Virus? The clearest indication that your computer has a virus is, or course, an alert from your antivirus package. However, there are likely to be plenty of other signs too. Your computer may perform more slowly than usual, overheat or start freezing or crashing, and the battery may drain more quickly than usual — all signs that your machine is performing tasks that you haven't initiated. Pop-ups may start appearing, as may programs that you didn't install. Files may go missing, or be corrupted, and files and folders that you don't recognize may appear. You might also see changes to your browser home page, such as a switch to a different browser from usual. You may find that your computer is running more slowly than usual, taking a longer time than usual to load files and apps. While there are other potential causes for a slow-running machine, particularly if it's an old one, this may mean that your machine's resources are being used by somebody else. Frequent crashing or freezing can have the same cause. Pop-ups are a part of life, but if you start experiencing far more than usual, this may be a sign that your computer is harbouring a virus. The aim is to get you to visit dodgy websites that could harvest your data, or prompt you to download more malware. The pop-ups can take a number of forms, from ads for antivirus to error messages or special offers. If you see one, don't ever click on it. If your browser home page is altered to a different default website without you having made any changes, this is a strong sign that your computer has a virus. You may also spot changes to your browser settings, such as its theme, privacy settings, tools, bookmarks or extensions. If programs that you didn't install suddenly appear on your machine, this is a strong sign that they've been installed by somebody else. These programs may appear legitimate — but be warned, there's a good chance that they're stealing your personal information, corrupting your files or giving hackers remote access to your computer. One common activity of hackers is to try and spread the joy by infecting the computers of your friends and contacts too. This is often done by sending out mass emails purportedly from you, and encouraging others to click on dodgy links. Similarly, your social media accounts may have posts that you didn't make. Some viruses are able to disable your security tools, such as antivirus or firewalls, giving hackers free reign to access all your data and private information. This is especially likely to be the case if trying to turn it back on doesn't work. While battery performance can decline over time, a sudden drop in battery life can be a sign that your computer has a virus. Viruses use up resources on your machine and carry out their own, surreptitious activities, meaning your battery may run down faster than usual. The more a virus spreads, the worse the battery drain is likely to be. A frequently-crashing computer, or a screen that freezes regularly, can be a sign that something is amiss. A computer virus often takes up a lot of space, and can overload your computer's resources. Frequent error messages may indicate the same thing. What Should You Do If Your Computer Has A Virus? If you discover that your computer does have a virus, don't panic — it should be possible to remove it. You should first run a full system scan with an anti-virus package to make sure that the machine really is infected. Disconnect from the internet by turning off the wifi, and enter Safe Mode. Delete temporary files, as these could be the source of the virus, and install any software updates that you may have missed — these will contain security patches to protect you. And if all else fails, call in an IT professional, who will have more sophisticated tools and methods at their disposal. They may be able to help remove any viruses from your computer using a remote connection. How Do You Prevent Computer Viruses? While viruses can happen to anybody, there's a lot you can do to minimize the chances of infection. The first line of defense, obviously, is a good antivirus package that should detect and protect you from any threats. You should make sure all your accounts have strong passwords, and use two-factor authentication where possible. Don't click on links you're not 100% certain about, and perhaps install an ad blocker to help. Never download content that you don't fully trust, and avoid suspicious links and attachments. You should also make sure that you keep all your software up to date, so that you're getting any security updates. You could also consider using a virtual private network (VPN). Bottom Line Having your computer infected with a virus can have a devastating effect, hitting your machine's performance, exposing your data, possibly including your financial information and more. It's important to know the signs, so that you can act quickly to get rid of any malware and stay safe in future. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) What Are Different Types Of Computer Viruses? There are lots of different types of virus, but what they all have in common is that they can attach themselves to other programs, self-replicate and spread onto other devices. A boot sector virus damages or controls the boot sector on the drive, rendering the machine unusable. A web scripting virus attacks web browser security, while a resident virus infects applications as they are opened by a user. A direct action virus accesses a computer's main memory and infects programs, files,and folders, while a file infector virus injects malicious code into the files that run the operating system. What Are Examples Of Popular Computer Viruses? There are tens of thousands of computer viruses roaming around the world, with thousands created every month. Almost a third of the world's computers are believed to have been infected with a virus at some time. Conflicker, first detected in 2008, is possibly the most prolific virus of all time, and is still active today. The most famous is probably ILOVEYOU, released in 2000, and spreading through email attachments that appeared with the subject line 'I love you.' Meanwhile, CryptoLocker, discovered in September 2013, sneaked into systems through email attachments. And the Stuxnet worm, discovered in 2010, has been hugely destructive to industrial control systems. How Do You Tell If A Mac Has A Virus? Apple's security is famously tight, leading many people to believe that Macs are virus-proof. Unfortunately, while it's true that they're are more secure than PCs, they can still be vulnerable. The signs that an Apple Mac has a virus are essentially the same as for a PC. They include slow performance, overheating or freezing or crashing, and a fast-draining battery. Other indications that your Mac may have a virus include a deluge of pop-up ads or the appearance of unfamiliar apps or browser extensions.

Here's How To Get Rid Of A Computer Virus

Forbes

15-06-2025

Forbes

Here's How To Get Rid Of A Computer Virus

Realizing that your computer is infected with a virus can be a heart-stopping moment, but there's no ... More need to panic. Viruses or other malware can have a devastating effect on your PC, slowing its performance, delivering unwanted pop-ups, or even stealing your personal or financial information. And, unfortunately, your machine can become infected very easily if you make a careless move. Simply clicking on the wrong link — perhaps in a phishing email, perhaps in a dodgy ad — can leave your PC open to infection. So how can you tell whether your computer has a virus, and how do you get rid of the malware if it has? We look at the steps you should take to get your PC virus-free. Chances are that you'll spot certain signs if your computer has a virus. It may perform more slowly than usual, or start freezing or crashing. The machine may get hot, or the batter drain more quickly than usual; ads or pop-ups may start appearing, as may programs that you didn't install. Files may go missing, or be corrupted, or unfamiliar files and folders may appear. Meanwhile, you may see changes to your browser home page, such as a switch to a different browser from usual. And, of course, the clearest sign that your computer has a virus is an alert from your antivirus package. A computer virus, like a biological one, can replicate itself and will try to spread as far as possible. Common types include macro viruses, browser hijackers, polymorphic viruses, resident viruses and boot sector viruses. It's possible for a virus to spread from your PC to your phone if you've connected the two devices via a network or USB — so you may need to check that out too. A virus on your computer can also pose a threat to your friends and contacts, with the hackers using your machine to spread spam or phishing emails. If you suspect that your computer has a virus, don't ignore the signs — you'll need to act as quickly as possible to minimize the damage. If you discover that your computer is harboring a virus, don't despair — it should be perfectly possible to remove it and get things back to normal. Be warned, though, it may take a little time. At the end of the process, you should be able to access your data as normal — although in some particularly bad cases you may need to carry out a factory reset, in which case you'll lose everything you don't have backed up. The basic steps you need to take are much the same for a Mac as for a PC, although the commands you use, for example to enter Safe mode, will differ a little between the two. Your first step should be to discover whether or not you do really have a virus, by running a full system scan. If you don't have an anti-virus package already installed on your machine, you'll need to download one — free and paid versions are widely available from the likes of McAfee, Norton and other security firms. Simply follow the instructions on-screen. Once you've got an anti-virus package on your machine, you should disconnect it from the internet by turning off the wifi or unplugging the ethernet cable. This will stop the virus from spreading any further, and should prevent the attackers from accessing any more of your data or causing any more harm. Under Safe Mode, your machine can only launch essential programs, files and apps, giving you the chance to troubleshoot any problematic software. On a Windows machine, you do this by holding Shift and Power at the same time and hitting Restart when prompted to do so. You can then select Troubleshoot, Advanced options and Startup Settings to let it restart. On a Mac, you should first shut it down, then press and hold the power button until the Loading startup options screen appears. Choose a boot volume, then press and hold Shift, followed by Continue in Safe Mode. Temporary files may be the source of the virus, so it's a good idea to delete any to eliminate potential threats. Clearing your cache through your Settings deletes any temporary data stored on your web browser, apps and the machine itself. Software updates contain security patches to protect you from haackers' newly-found methods of attack You should update your operating system and all software to make sure that you're protected from the latest security threats. If the above methods haven't worked, it's time to call in expert help. An IT professional will have more sophisticated tools and methods, and may be able to help remove any viruses from your computer using a remote connection. Bottom Line Realizing that your computer is infected with a virus can be a heart-stopping moment, given the potential for disruption and fraud. However, there's no need to panic. It's generally possible to get things back on track and recover your data through a series of simple steps. Does A Factory Reset Remove Viruses? A factory reset removes your installed programs, wipes your files takes settings back to their defaults — literally returning your machine to the state it in when you bought it. As such, a factory reset should remove any viruses in virtually all cases. However, in certain very rare cases, sophisticated viruses can infect the computer's BIOS or firmware, in which case even a factory reset may not be able to completely remove them. How Do You Remove Viruses From A Mac? To remove a virus from your Mac, you should first disconnect it from the internet and then put it into Safe Mode. You can then check the Activity Monitor to identify any malicious applications and run a malware scanner. A full system scan will check for malicious files, processes and applications, and remove any that it finds. What Are Free Virus Removal Tools? There's a large number of good free virus removal tools out there, so there's no excuse for not having one. Such packages can identify and remove malware before it causes any problems. Popular free packages include Bitdefender, Avast, Malwarebytes and Kaspersky, all of which also offer more sophisticated paid versions, too.

chromeOS Flex Comes To My Rescue For Free. It Can Do The Same For You.

Forbes

08-06-2025

Forbes

chromeOS Flex Comes To My Rescue For Free. It Can Do The Same For You.

Convert your tired old computer into a blazing fast Chromebook. At no cost. My nine-computer odyssey started around mid-April. The Chromebook I'd been using as my everyday laptop for two years suddenly broke. So I ordered a replacement. After two days, the new machine started going bonkers – as if it was possessed. The keys looked like they were actively pressing things on the screen. At first, I assumed a key was stuck down. After closely examining the keyboard though, I realized that wasn't the issue. Assuming it was software-related, I rebooted the machine. The next day, I not only had the same issue but this time it jumped into my email program and started mass-deleting emails right before my eyes. Like in a horror movie. Which is especially odd because the email program does not allow you to do that manually. I immediately powered down the machine, only to later discover that 200-some emails had been permanently and mysteriously deleted. A Chrome expert ultimately checked the machine and suspected it was caused by a Chrome extension in the browser. Whatever. Machine No. 2 was long gone by then, back to the manufacturer. In desperation, I tried using a brand-new Windows 11 laptop (Computer 3). Haven't used Windows in a decade and was quickly reminded why. It took two or three steps to accomplish anything that takes one step on a Chromebook. That doesn't sound like a big deal, until you're doing these steps every day all day. It adds up quickly. So I returned the laptop. I then converted my son's old Windows laptop (Computer 4) to a Chromebook by installing chromeOS flex on it. This is a free program that I encourage anyone to try who is about to throw out an old Windows or Mac machine. It will revive the computer into a fast, useful existence. Well, most of the time. The laptop soon started doing the same thing as the other machine – with the uncontrollable cursor. But this time the cause was a cracked screen. Apparently the computer misinterpreted the screen crack as me pressing down on the touchscreen, which would override where I was trying to place the cursor. So I wiped the PC clean and donated it. Then a friend graciously volunteered to give me two old Macs (Computers 5 and 6) to convert to chromeOS flex. I'd done it once before for a Macbook Pro, and it worked great. But for these two machines, it failed. The Macbook Air didn't have enough memory to support the job, while the iMac was able to take the software but it had no Bluetooth and another broken internal part. Six machines down, at this point. I borrowed my wife's Chromebook (Computer 7) for just a week, and vowed to just go buy a new model (Computer 8). I did, and even though it was billed as an upscale model, I found the screen to be simply awful. To make matters worse, every video loaded up super slow. Returned it. And then finally, my same friend found an old laptop (Computer 9) at his office that had gone unused the last few years. I was able to install chromeOS flex on that and it's been a winner. In fact, I think it works better than any of the actual Chromebooks I've used through time. Maybe because its specs are better. This one is a keeper. Which is why I'm a huge advocate of chromeOS flex. Converting your old machine is fast and easy. Seriously it does all the work, taking about five minutes to remove everything off your old machine and install a cloud-based operating system that's secure and easy to manage. As Google points out in its marketing of the software, it's a great way to breathe new life into your existing devices. Once it's installed, you'll be able to boot up your machine in six seconds. It performs automatic background updates, and it won't slow down over time. You'll be astounded at how your old laptop that could barely get on the web is suddenly surfing through like a brand new, high-end machine. As I found out, not every machine is compatible with it but most are. You can even try it on your old machine before permanently installing it.