Modern computer viruses are increasingly sophisticated, various and similar to real viruses that transmit diseases: sometimes they show symptoms, other times they don't and, if they are not caught in time, they can cause serious or irreparable damage. It therefore becomes difficult, in some cases, to actually understand if there is a virus on the computer and, above all, it is not easy to distinguish a technical problem from the result of an infection that leads to malfunctions.
In this article we try to see a series of the most common symptoms suffered by a Windows PC that testify to the possible or safe presence of viruses or malware .
I want to say that a computer can become infected even if protected by an antivirus that is not always foolproof in blocking the virus before it can cause damage.
It is also important to note that a computer virus is not always visible because it could act in the background without causing any problems, at least initially.
1) The most visible and annoying symptom of a virus is a noticeable slowing down of the computer .
Malfunctions could be a process that takes up a lot of processing power or CPU on the PC and therefore has fewer resources to devote to normal activities.
A process that takes up too much CPU may not always be considered malware, but it is always a problem.
In another article we have already seen causes and solutions for a slow computer and, above all, the guide to unlock Windows if the pc freezes or if the computer goes slow.
These viruses can also give the following symptoms:
- Very slow computer startup;
- mouse that moves slowly and windows that do not move and open with difficulty;
- Hard Disk that remains in continuous loading signaling a continuous activity even if nothing is done.
2) Various symptoms that report fake problems on the computer
If the computer shuts down or restarts on its own, there is probably something broken but the effect of a virus cannot be ruled out.
Some viruses deceive the user by reporting non-existent problems and effectively blocking any operation.
Typically this type of malware takes the computer hostage by asking the user to pay to fix the problems.
- Windows Explorer stops working often;
- The blue screen of the serious error with consequent crash often appears;
- A scanning program starts which reports problems or viruses in considerable numbers which must be removed with the full version of the program to be purchased;
3) Symptoms of missing things or blocked and inaccessible Windows settings and features .
For example it can be verified that:
- icons disappear from the desktop and from the Start menu;
- the hard disk is reported as full;
- an access password never set is requested;
- You can no longer access the task manager, Regedit or Msconfig;
- Internet Explorer, the Control Panel and other administration menus have disappeared;
- You are no longer administrators of the computer;
- The bottom bar disappears;
- Windows Update doesn't work;
- No antivirus program works or can be installed.
- Windows with strange or unusual error messages or warnings appear;
- Advertising opens on their own;
- strange game icons or links to commercial sites appear on the desktop;
- The mouse cursor moves by itself;
- Personal files and folders appear to have disappeared.
- Antivirus is deactivated and no longer starts
- Inability to install, update and start security programs
For all these symptoms, often macroscopic and impossible to ignore or confuse with computer technical problems, there is always a way to heal.
If it is true that this type of virus, worm or Trojan causes even serious problems and prevents the use of the computer, it is also true that they are immediately identifiable and, therefore, also removable.
A bit like in real life, a disease that shows its symptoms can be cured in time while a hidden tumor grows over time to become incurable.
In another article: the guide to remove malware spyware and fake antivirus viruses from the infected computer based mainly on the rKill and MalwareBytes antimalware programs that I recommend to always keep on hand for any emergency.
An important guide to follow in case of a virus is to restore files, settings after a malware
3) Symptoms related to internet browsing
The computer works well but when you open the internet you cannot navigate as you would like and you are often directed to commercial or inconvenient websites, with the frequent opening of advertising windows and pop-ups.
Internet browsing can also go very slow due to malware and when you search, you are directed to particular sites that have nothing to do with what you are looking for.
The browser, especially Internet Explorer, has fewer buttons than usual, does not give the possibility to access general options and to change advanced settings.
In this case the diagnosis is quite simple but the resolution more complicated than expected if you are not prepared because it becomes impossible to download the repair tool.
Typically a scan with MalwareBytes and a check of the DNS and Proxy internet connection parameters will solve the problem
READ ALSO: definitive guide to remove all types of viruses and malware ).
4) Symptoms in the abnormal behavior of some programs that close suddenly or that do not work as they should.
This type of symptoms can be very difficult to detect and associate with the presence of a virus.
The important thing is to always keep the most updated version of programs and plugins, especially if you are using very popular programs like Office, Adobe, Java etc.
Of course, Windows also needs to be updated to the latest version.
5) Symptoms in the Mail
If the Email address ended up in the wrong hands, you may notice a sharp increase in spam messages which can still be ignored and automatically trashed.
The real problem, if you use a program such as Microsoft Outlook, is the appearance of delusional emails that warn of broken messages, emails with strange attachments and, above all, the automatic sending to the entire address book of the virus.
Also in this case the antimalware scanning programs work only that as soon as possible and as you realize the problem it would be the case to warn the contacts of the address book of possible infected messages coming from our address.
If you use a webmail com Gmail or Yahoo Mail this problem can not occur.
In any case, almost no virus runs in Windows safe mode and none of them resists to- dos if your computer has been hit by a virus that I really recommend printing or memorizing.
