1. Sudden Slowdowns
Your computer was running fine, now everything takes forever to load — including startup. Malware often runs constantly in the background, consuming CPU and memory without you knowing.
2. Unexpected Pop-Ups
Random advertisements appear even when you're not browsing, or you get alarming warnings about your computer being infected (ironically, often fake pop-ups are malware themselves).
3. Programs Opening or Closing on Their Own
Applications launch, crash, or behave unpredictably without any input. This can indicate a Trojan or remote-access malware running on your device.
4. Unknown Software Installed
You notice programs in your app list or startup items that you didn't install — especially toolbars, "cleaners", or browser extensions you don't recognise.
5. Browser Redirects
Your browser keeps sending you to unfamiliar websites, your homepage has changed, or searches go through a different engine than usual. Classic signs of a browser hijacker.
6. Antivirus Disabled or Won't Run
Some malware specifically targets your security software to disable it. If Windows Defender or your antivirus keeps turning itself off, treat it as a red flag.
7. High CPU or Disk Usage at Idle
If Task Manager shows 80–100% disk or CPU usage when you're not doing anything, something is running in the background. Cryptominers are a common culprit.
8. Contacts Receiving Strange Emails or Messages
Friends report receiving odd emails from your address or strange messages via social accounts. This means your credentials may already be compromised.
9. Files Missing or Changed
Documents disappear, filenames change, or you find encrypted files with unfamiliar extensions. Ransomware typically does this before demanding payment.
10. Increased Network Activity
Your internet usage spikes unexpectedly, or your router lights are flashing heavily when you're not actively using the internet — possible data exfiltration in progress.
First: disconnect from the internet if you suspect active data theft. Do not enter passwords or banking details on the affected machine. Run a full scan with Windows Defender or Malwarebytes (free version). If the scan finds threats but can't remove them — or if symptoms persist — contact a professional. Attempting DIY removal can sometimes make things worse, especially with rootkits or ransomware.
Call us if: your antivirus found but couldn't remove the threat; you're seeing ransomware messages; personal data may have been accessed; the symptoms returned after you thought the issue was fixed; or you're not confident removing it yourself. Virus removal from Your IT & Tech Mates starts from $99, with a no-fix no-fee guarantee.
