When a computer is infected with a virus or malware, it might exhibit several symptoms that can indicate something is wrong. Understanding these symptoms can help you take action to protect your computer and data. Here are some common symptoms you might notice:
Annoying, unexpected pop-ups - These are advertisements or alerts that appear on your screen without your permission. They can be both intrusive and difficult to close. This is a typical sign of adware or pop-up malware.
Installation of a new toolbar - You might find a new toolbar added to your web browser without your knowledge. Often, this is hard to remove because it might have been installed by a piece of malware that manipulates browser settings.
System slow-downs and crashes - If your computer is running much slower than usual or frequently crashes, there might be malware consuming resources or corrupting system files. Malware can run processes in the background, utilizing your CPU and memory, which slows down other tasks.
If you notice any of these symptoms, it's advisable to run a thorough antivirus scan using reputable security software. Additionally, ensure that your software and operating system are updated regularly to protect against vulnerabilities that malware might exploit.