How Do I Know if My Computer Has a Virus?

Did you know that 47% of Americans experienced financial identity theft in 2020? Identity theft and data compromises usually begin with computer viruses like malware and phishing scams.

How do I know if my computer has a virus? There are various things you can check to figure this out.

Since compromises are on the rise, it’s important to know the signs to look for. Keep reading to learn more.

How Do I Know if My Computer Has a Virus?

If your computer is acting strange, you might have a virus. Different viruses can affect devices in various ways, so you’ll have to look for more than one tell-tale sign.

How do I know if my computer has a virus? These are some signs to look into:

Slow Computer Performance

One of the most common signs of a computer virus is slow performance. If your files or apps are taking too long to load, it could be because of a virus.

You’ll also want to note if your system is taking longer than usual to start. Does it run slow once it’s finally booted?

Another sign is if you are completely locked out of your computer. If you can’t gain access to files or settings on your device, malware is the likely culprit.

Endless Pop-ups and Spam

Everyone deals with pop-ups and spam on their devices, but if you are getting these messages more than usual, it could be because of a computer virus.

Frequent and odd pop-ups are red flags to take into account. A pop-up that tries to install malware on your device might also attempt to secretly install spyware.

If you are dealing with spyware, a hacker can easily hijack your browser to steal personal information and passwords without you knowing.

Use spam and pop-up blockers to prevent this. You’ll also want to download a reputable antivirus software program.

Mass Emails Sent From Your Account

Computer viruses can get into your email and send out odd messages to your contacts. This is so that cybercriminals can try to hack into other devices as well.

Check your email’s outbox to see if there are messages you didn’t send. This can also happen if you use social media on your computer. Check for posts you didn’t make or see if you are locked out of any accounts.

To get back into those accounts and prevent this from happening, you’ll need to change your passwords. You can also use software programs like SecOps that help with cybersecurity. Learn more here.

Remove Computer Viruses ASAP

How do I know if my computer has a virus? Check your device for the common signs in this guide. You might have a computer virus if your device is slow, has endless spam messages, or if your email has been hacked.

If you believe or know for sure that your computer has a virus, you need to remove it. Doing this yourself is complicated and often requires the help of a professional.

Seek expert help for a computer virus and don’t forget to come back for more informative blogs like this.