Computers are complicated enough that they don't always do what exactly we expect. Sometimes a critical behavior is only a fluke; in other cases, this is an outward and visible indication of an inward and terrible malware infestation. If you see any of these security indicators, your system is probably compromised.
1. Popup ads appear even though no browser is open. While not as common as they was once, adware programs bombard their victims with advertisements. Sometimes they're ads for legitimate products, in other cases they contain links to malicious websites, sites that will make an effort to drop more malware on your computer.
2. Browser navigation gets redirected. Only a few site redirect is malicious, but when you find that attempting to reach Google goes for an unfamiliar search site, you've almost certainly got a problem. Sometimes the redirection is more subtle. As an example, a banking Trojan might divert your browser into a fraudulent site that looks the same as your bank's real site. In that case your only clue is the unfamiliar URL inside the Address bar.
3. A burglar alarm program you don't ever installed pops up scary warnings. Creating and distributing fake antivirus programs can be a lucrative business. The perpetrators use drive-by downloads or any other sneaky processes to receive the fake antivirus onto your system, then display scary warnings about made-up threats. Naturally you must register a payment prior to fraudulent tool will "fix" the issue. As well as scanning for malware with all the fake AV is super-fast, becasue it is not actually doing anything.
4. Posts you didn't write show up on your social websites pages. Malware centered on Facebook and other social media sites propagates by generating fake posts. Typically these posts feature an inflammatory statement of some type, like "OMG were you really that drunk? Check this out picture!" Anyone who falls for the fake and clicks the url will become the subsequent victim.
5. An application holds your personal machine for ransom. Some malware programs literally hold your computer or data for ransom. Overt ransomware threats may encrypt all of your pictures and documents and demand that you pay to obtain rid of it. Others try and obscure what they're doing. As an example, they may display an alert supposedly in the FBI stating that your laptop or computer was adopted to send spam and demanding which you pay an excellent before you're in a position to utilize it again. Naturally, even though you may pay, you might not get your system back.
6. Suddenly you cannot use common system tools. A good user, suspecting the existence of malware, might launch Task Manager to analyze, or check settings using Registry Editor. If you suddenly realize that attempting to begin using these or other system tools triggers a note saying your Administrator has disabled them, it could be an effort at self-defense by malware on your system.
7. Everything seems perfectly normal. That's right. Particular sorts of malware do their utmost to disguise all activity, leaving no visible traces. Even though you may don't notice anything unusual, possibly which a 'bot on your system might be quietly awaiting instruction from the command and control system, or perhaps a Remote Access Trojan may be harvesting your own personal information.
If you feel malware has had up residence inside your PC, put in a powerful antivirus utility or security suite immediately. Already got one? Then apparently the malware got past its protection. Make sure your antivirus is fully up-to-date, and run a full scan. Go for a second opinion from the free cleanup-only antivirus like Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 1.70 or Comodo Cleaning Essentials 6. You definitely have to get that nasty, malicious program out of your system at the earliest opportunity, before it invites "friends" to generate your security problem even worse.
