Sometimes an unexpected behavior from your computer is just
a fluke; other times, it's an outward and visible sign of an inward and
terrible malware infestation. If you notice any of these security warning
signs, your system may well be compromised even if you are using an anti-virus
and/or anti-malware program. How is that possible you ask? Well the best answer
is that sometimes the bad guys just get ahead of the software makers (it’s hard
to prepare for a virus that didn't exist yesterday). You also may not have
updated your anti-virus program or operating system or you simply may have inadvertently
opened a door by clicking a box, opening an email link, downloading a picture
or visiting a questionable website. If
that has happened here are just a few examples of what you may see (aside from
just really slow performance) and what may be causing it;
1. Popup ads
appear even when no browser is open. While not as common as they used to be,
adware programs bombard their victims with advertisements and sometimes they contain
links to malicious websites; sites that will attempt to drop more malware on
your PC.
2. Browser navigation
gets redirected. Not every site redirect is malicious, but if you find that
trying to reach Google takes you to an unfamiliar search site, you've almost
certainly got a problem. One example is a banking Trojan which might divert
your browser to a fraudulent site that looks just like your bank's real site.
3. A security program
you never installed pops up scary warnings. Creating and distributing fake
antivirus programs is a lucrative business. Naturally you have to register a
payment before the fraudulent tool will "fix" the problem (which
never really existed) and likely leave behind more bad news in the form of one
or more virus or malware variants.
4. You send emails,
tweets and post on facebook while you sleep. It isn't sleepwalking (well, probably not). Malware focused on Email, Facebook
and other social media sites spreads by generating fake posts and messages.
Typically these posts include an inflammatory statement of some kind, like
"How drunk were you last night? or Who was that man/woman hanging all over
you? Look at this picture!" Clicking on that picture or link will make you
the next victim and possibly all of your “friends” as well.
5. A program holds you
or your PC for ransom. Some malware programs literally hold your PC or data
for ransom. Overt ransom ware threats may encrypt all your pictures and
documents and demand that you pay to get them back. They may display a warning
supposedly from the FBI stating that your computer was used to send spam, you
downloaded child pornography or committed some other crime and demands that you
pay a fine before you're allowed to use it again. Some versions will even hijack
your computer’s camera to snap a picture of you and place it in a “Wanted”
poster which is displayed in the demand for payment. Remember to smile!
6. Suddenly you can't
use common system tools and programs. An experienced user, suspecting the
presence of malware, might run certain programs or check settings. If you find
that trying to use these or other system tools triggers an error message, or doesn't work at all, it may be an attempt at self-defense by malware on your
system.
If you see a pop-up, an email or a system error that you are
unsure of, call or come by and we can help you determine what is causing it,
and if need be, reclaim your computer from malware.
