Malware, like ransomware and viruses, is something that users always have to be on the lookout for. Just one malware infection can quickly spread to an entire office network causing a major outage for a company.
Attack volume only keeps going up, which makes it even more important to be aware of any anomaly that could indicate the presence of malicious code.
During the first half of 2021, ransomware attack volume has already increased by 151%. Phishing is also up, with an increase of over 280% in both May and June of this year.
To keep your company safe from a breach, it’s important to have strong malware protection and a well-trained team. Employees are often the first ones to notice if anything is wrong with their devices. Stopping malware at the source immediately can mitigate the damage by keeping the infection from spreading, so good employee training is key.
You can help your employees become better at spotting potential malware infections by sharing the following list of warning signs.
These Signs Can Mean Your Device is Infected with Malware
Sudden Reboots Without Warning
If your computer reboots without being initiated from time to time, this isn’t just a “quirk,” it could be the sign of something seriously wrong with the operating system. This can happen due to a malware infection that attacks system files.
Some forms of malware will change native system registry entries or other files, and this can cause the PC to reboot. If your computer is rebooting on its own without warning, then this needs to be checked out to find the reason.
Your Browser Home Page Has Changed
One common sign of a malware infection is if the homepage for your internet browser has been changed. This is often done by adware code, and you’ll typically be directed to an advertising site with videos and popups.
You may also be directed to a phishing site that infects your PC with spyware as soon as the page loads.
Unexpected Processing Sounds
When you’re working in memory-intensive programs or searching files, it’s not uncommon to hear a processing sound coming from your hard drive. But this should only happen occasionally while doing those types of activities.
If you find that you hear processing sounds unexpectedly, when doing activities that aren’t particularly memory-intensive or those processing sounds go on longer than usual, your PC could be infected.
Malware will often use your system resources in the background and could cause the processor to work harder. This is another sign that you may have an infected device.
Corrupted or Missing Files
Some types of malware, such as ransomware, will corrupt your files or cause files to go missing and then reappear. If you start to notice any strange file behavior in this way, then you should have your PC checked for malware right away.
Strange Error Messages
Another sign that your device is infected with a virus or other form of malware is if you start seeing strange error messages popping up on the screen. These can be due to the malware corrupting or deleting important system files, which can cause you to see an error message that you never had before when doing a normal activity
Popups for Antivirus You Don’t Use
If you see a popup telling you that your antivirus is about to expire, or that you need to update it, but the name of the company doesn’t look familiar, it could be a malware popup.
Many users aren’t even sure what antivirus their PC might have, so they get taken in by these fake pop ups and end up clicking a link that can take them to a site with malicious code or one designed for credential theft.
It’s important to pay attention to updates for legitimate software, but if you’re not sure if a popup message is for an application you actually use, it’s always best to get a second opinion from a computer professional before taking any action.
Your Camera Light Comes On When You’re Not Using Video
Some forms of malware can access your PC’s built-in camera and when this happens, the hacker can see you from that video cam view. If you see the light go on when you’re not actively using your camera, then you may want to get your computer checked out.
The light coming on by itself could be a software issue or it could be a hacker that is spying on your activities.
Keep Your PCs Secure with a Monthly Maintenance Plan
Our Monthly Maintenance plans at Rocky Knoll Technologies include security and system optimization to keep your team safe and productive. Don’t leave your Charlotte area business at risk.
Schedule a consultation by calling 704.594.7292 or reach us online.
