The Signs and Symptoms of a Malware Infection (and What to Do About It!)
The impact of covid-19 on human behavior has been huge. This is particularly true when it comes to our reliance on technology.
Research shows that internet usage in all categories, from social networking to entertainment has skyrocketed. Confined to our homes for months, we’ve had to adapt.
While technology has made the pandemic easier to navigate, it's also made us a lot more vulnerable. With our entire lives online, cybercriminals know what's at stake, and malware attacks are becoming more and more common. Be prepared with all the information you need to spot a malware infection and what to do about it.
What Is Malware?
Malware refers to any type of software that can intentionally disrupt or damage your computer or network by gaining unauthorized access. The name comes from the shortening of malicious software.
Depending on its form (more on that below), malware can put your personal information at risk. This includes any passwords, personal information, and financial information. Malware can be overt or secretly installed on your system, meaning you might not even know it’s there!
What Are the Different Types of Malware?
Thought you only had to worry about viruses? Think again. Computer viruses are a common type of malware. They are used in multiple ways from erasing data to damaging your system and usually disguise themselves in the form of dodgy email attachments that are activated with one click.
But there are several types of malware that wreak havoc on your system in different ways. Providing in-depth information on all types of malware is a whole other article on its own. So we'll just take you through some of the most common types you're likely to encounter.
The Signs and Symptoms of a Malware Infection (and What to Do About It!)
Ransomware is an infamous type of malware that hackers use to hold your computer for ransom by encrypting your files. These encrypted files are then only released when the victim pays up. Spyware is a type of malware that gains access to your system to secretly steal your personal information. This can then be sold to third parties or used in identity theft, among other risks.
Sneakier types of malware include fake security software and browser hijacking software. These types of malware trick you into thinking they're protecting you or serving another useful function while gaining access to your system and stealing data and changing your computer settings.
Suspect a Malware Infection? Look Out for These Signs
Malware might not be easy to spot, making it all the more threatening. This is unless you know the subtle signs and symptoms to look out for that might indicate a malware infection. Below we unpack a few common ones to be wary of.
Slow-Moving System
There's nothing worse than a lagging computer system. If you find that programs are taking forever to load or you're waiting 2 minutes after every click to navigate a website, you might be experiencing a malware issue.
Now, don't panic just yet. There are other explanations for a slow computer performance like an overheating machine or running too many programs in the background. But if you've ruled out these causes and you're still having an issue, it might be time to check your system for malware.
Frequent Crashes
When it comes to malware, frequent computer crashes and slow performance go hand in hand. Not only is it incredibly annoying having to keep restarting your system, but you might end up losing important data if you don't back it up frequently enough.
Hate to break it to you but a machine that keeps crashing is another sure sign that you might have an infection.
Suspicious Storage Space
You've deleted all of your selfies, videos, and holiday snaps. You've combed through old documents and sorted out your trash. So why are you still running out of storage space?
Some malware sneakily installs itself, taking up a huge chunk of your storage space in the process. Depending on your operating system, it's always a good idea to keep track of what's taking up that much-valued storage space on your machine. If something doesn't seem quite right, it probably isn't.
Sending Spam
If the poeple in your contacts are receiving strange emails from your address, they might be thinking you're either a creep or a victim of malware. Let's give you the benefit of the doubt and say it's the latter. Malware will often use your details to send spam messages to contacts as a way to spread, making you the culprit.
Social media posts are also a common sign of malware. The posts will often contain sensationalist titles and a mysterious link encouraging your unsuspecting pals to give it a click. When they do, it's likely they'll also fall victim to a nasty malware attack.
Pop-Ups and Suspicious Programs
And finally, a classic sign of a malware infection is the dreaded pop-up. If you find an influx of pop-up ads, websites, and mysterious programs opening up on their own accord, you guessed it, it's likely malware.
Also, look out for the ghost in the machine. This is just a scary way of saying if your computer does something you didn't explicitly tell it to do (redirecting webpages, opening programs, the list goes on), you should be suspicious.
What Can I Do About Malware?
Dealing with malware, like any other virus, requires treating it to get rid of it, and preventing it in the first place. The first and most important step is finding a professional cybersecurity service.
Cyber-security professionals stay constantly up to date with new developments and solutions to malware attacks. As hackers get more sneaky every day, the only way you can be certain that your system is safe is by putting your trust in a professional.
Stay Well-Aware of Malware
No matter how careful you think you are online, a malware infection can happen. This is why it's best to always stay prepared and keep an eye out for common signs and symptoms of a malware attack. If you're in the market for a trusted IT service to deal with security, fixes, and all things tech-related, get in touch today!
