What are The Symptoms of a Computer Virus?

So, your computer is slowing down and you are afraid that it is because of the fact that your computer is infected. In this article, we are going to talk about the Symptoms of a Computer Virus.

What is a Computer Virus?

Computer Viruses are venomous software/applications often referred to as Malware. They have the tendency to destroy files, steal personal information, and damage your computer’s delicate parts such as its RAM.

What are the Types of Computer Viruses?

Computer Viruses can do a lot of bad things and can harm your computer in many different ways. Here are eight of the most common computer viruses waiting out there for you to put your guard down.

1. Boot Sector Virus

The Boot Sector virus attacks your master boot record. It is very severe and at the same time very easy to prevent kind of a virus. It transmits via USB drive or email attachments.

It’s replacing the current boot code with your own infected code so when you boot your PC next time, you will be loaded into your PC as part of the master boot record.

2. Network Virus

It is relatively a new kind of virus. It transmits over your network and does need to drop a file-based copy. Our computer is fairly protected from this virus as the network VirusWall Enforcer scans the network traffic, identify, and kill this virus.

3. File Infector

This virus slows your computer down and attacks system files by targeting the files with the “.exe” extension. These files are called Executable Files.

Some File inspector viruses are also damaging the Host file of your system, which will cause your PC to send your PC request to malicious links.

4. Web Scripting Virus

The Web Scripting Virus tends to break your web browser’s security which will eventually make your Personal Information Vulnerable to hackers. They are generally used to attack social media sites and can extract your personal information.

5. Over Write Virus

Over Write Virus as the name suggests overwrites file content to poison folders, files, and your important and delicate programs.

6. Direct Action

This virus is one of the easiest to detect. It attacks specific files generally these files with extension (.exe), such types of files are called executable files. They attack the file, replicating and infecting that file.

7. Multi-Parasite Virus

Multi-Parasite Viruses do not target a specific kind of file, they infect the whole computer. They expand their reach by doing unauthorized actions on your OS, files, and programs.

8. Browser Hijacker

If you are redirected to a particular site and that site is malicious then you might want to run a quick scan afterward. Browser Hijacker redirects one’s browser to malicious websites. Therefore, detecting them is also very easy.

9. Resident Virus

They are the smartest of them all, as they have the ability to attach themselves with your anti-virus as well. They target and recites in your RAM and play with your OS.

These were eight of the most common virus out there.

What are the symptoms of a Computer Virus? 🤔

After knowing the different types of viruses out there. You might be curious to know if your computer is infected or not.

If you can relate to the points mentioned below, then, unfortunately, your computer is infected.

1. Sluggish Computer

The first thing that comes to our mind while thinking about the aftereffects of the Virus is that it is going to slow our computer. It will not only slow your computer’s speed but will also decrease your internet speed.

So, if you know that you are not running tons of applications on your system and still your computer is slowing down then you should consider going for a total scan.

2. Crashing

One of the things that will make sure that your computer is infected by the virus is the appearance of an unwanted guest BSOD(Blue Screen of Death).

The blue screen of death is mostly because of the Boot Sector Virus. Although there are many reasons behind the BSOD, it is the most common cause.

2. Pop-ups

If you are annoyed by the “Pop-ups” and are going to break your screen by the wrath of your anger.

Then you should first get a glass of water and then flush your computer’s virus by running an anti-virus. As the “Pop-ups” are one of the most common symptoms of viruses/spyware/Malware.

4. Break Down of Hard Drive

Although there are multiple reasons behind the malfunctioning of your Har Drive the one due to a computer virus is the easiest to solve.

If you want to confirm whether your PC’s Hard Drive is breaking down because of Virus, then trying checking your activity. If your hard drive is exhibiting high activity without you using it then it means that your Hard Drive is infected.

5. Shortage of Storage

Computer Viruses have this nack of creating duplicate files. These files are often stored in a  shortcut format. This will eventually fill up your computer’s space.

So, if you are observing that your drivers are filled without you stuffing files in them, it is a high chance that your computer is infected.

6. Starting of Unwanted Programs or Messages

If your window is shutting down without any notice, or your programs are opening and closing automatically or you are receiving a message that “you lost access to your drive”, then the chances of your computer being infected is high.

7. Disabled Security

I want you to do one thing, just remember when was the last time your anti-virus received an update. If you are not able to remember then not you, it’s your computer that needs attention.

There are some viruses out there that will first kill your soldiers and then it will attack your king(processor). They will disable your security making your system defenseless.

8. Application not responding

If you have tried starting your computers a hundred times and it is not responding. Then, do not go for the 101st attempt as the file that you are opening is under the wrath of the computer virus.

9. Suspicious Network Activity

If you are noticing that your network activity is high without you being connected to the internet. Then this implies that your computer is infected.

10. Error Messages

If a dialogue box is constantly appearing with the message “missing files” then your computer is smarter than you as it has deducted a virus or malware.

11. Ads

If you are not browsing and out of nowhere and add pops-up. The Poping of an ad is a clear symptom of  Computer Virus.

12. Hardware Malfunctioning

If you are noticing some kind of error in your Display, there is a jitter of pixels. This means that your computer is suffering from malware disease.

This can be also be concluded if your printer is not working properly.

13. Spam Emails

Emails are one of the most common sources of infection. So, I want you to check your Outbox, and if there are emails that you have neither sent nor received then the chances of your PC being infected are very high.

14. Weird Computer

Viruses can make your computer do lots of weird stuff, such as opening files on its own or clicking a key by itself. Next time your computer does the same then scan your computer. As it is another symptom of the computer virus.

15. Weird Application

There are some viruses that were build considering a specific application in mind. They tend to attack that application only. So if a specific application is behaving abnormally then try reinstalling that application.

16. Blocked anti-virus Sites

If you are using an infected computer than there is a chance that you won’t be able to access anti-virus sites. Viruses that attack browsers usually do such malicious activity.

17. Un-readable Dialog Box

Sometimes in an infected computer ton of dialogue box appear all at once. Which includes a lot of Gibberish that can not be decoded.

18. Slow Startup

If your computer is infected then the first symptom it will exhibit is starting up slowly. There are a lot of computers that do not open quickly but if it is taking even longer to open this means that your computer is infected.

19. Printer Issues

If your printer is behaving in a very weird manner as it is opening on its own or randomly printing a document. Then it means that you have to witness a fight between your anti-virus and virus.

Now a question might have throttled your mind “Can my printer catch a virus?”

No, your printer can not catch the virus. Well, theoretically it is possible but practically not. If your printer is behaving weirdly then it does not mean that your device(printer) is infected, it is the interface that is causing the tantrum.

But, nothing can be said for the future of printer, As the new printers are built with its own operating system and with an added AI feature. Therefore making it vulnerable to threats.

20. Fake “Virus Alerts”!

Sometimes when we are browsing or downloading something from the internet. A message saying “Virus Alert” flashes up. Do not panic as it is fake. The main aim of this Alert is to redirect you to an antivirus buying portal. There it will either ask you to buy or download it(if it is free).

If after reading all the symptoms you suspect that your computer has a virus, then try the following options.

1. Run your computer in safe mode and scan it via an anti-virus.
2. If your computer is slowing down, then before concluding anything try clearing temporary files.
3. Use anti-viruses and anti-malware software to get confirmation.

That’s it, just implement the following tips and tricks to attain complete virus protection.

Symptoms of a Computer Virus: How To Prevent it

If you want to prevent your computer from being infected then the best thing you can do is to be attentive and to follow the tips prescribed below:-

1. Keep your computer up-to-date

If your aim is to prevent your computer from the malicious virus then try enabling automatic updates on your Windows OS. As these upgrades generally have security patches that will fill all the security voids.

Do not be lazy on this one as your laziness can make your computer pay.

It’s too easy to make your PC to keep up to date, Just Click on the Start in your Windows 10 PC and click on the Setting option.

Now click on the Update & Security tab and click on the “Check for updates” to get the new update on your Windows PC.

Click on the “Advanced Options” and turn on the ‘Receive updates for other Microsoft Products when you update Windows”.

2. Install an Anti-Virus

This should have been the first step. Find, download, and install the best anti-virus you can afford. Not only that try keeping your anti-virus up-to-date because with new updates come new security patches.

One question might be hitting in your mind, once windows 10 PC already came with “Microsoft Defender” do you really need a third-party antivirus?🤔

If you ask this question to me with Windows 7, XP, or Windows 8 then my answer is for sure you need a third-party antivirus program in your PC.

But with Windows 10 Microsoft is working hard to improve the “Microsoft defender” program that is more than enough to protect your PC against viruses and malware.

You are able to access Windows Security under Settings ( Click on Start and click on the Settings).

I will recommend you to enable the below security options to enhance your PC security with Microsoft defender.

Core Isolation:- It’s using virtualization-based security to protect your PC memory integrity. To enable this click on the “Device Security”

and click on the Core isolation option here and turn on the “Memory Integrity” option here.

Enable Periodic Scan:-

Windows defender came with a periodic scan option but by default it’s turned off that you need to enable it to get the best security.

Click on the “Virus and Threat Protection” and click on the “Windows Defender Antivirus options” and turn on the “Periodic Scanning” Option here.

Exploit Protection:- Vulnerability is called weakness in the system or application and a piece of code that is going to get the benefit of current vulnerability is called exploits.

Windows defender came with the feature of Exploit protection that is protecting your PC against attacks like ransomware.

You can access Exploit protection under “App & browser control”. Click on the “Exploit Protection Settings”

By default, it’s protecting all the top applications but you can add your own applications also here.

Click on the “Program Settings” option and click on the “Add a program to Customize” option to add your application here.

Still, you are looking for an Antivirus solution? 🤔 if yes then go with Malwarebytes (Download Here).

Malwarebytes is providing the best protection against Malicious sites, Malware & PUPs, Ransomware and Exploits.

I will also recommend you use Malwarebytes AdwCleaner (Download Here) to removes toolbars, adware, hijackers, and potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) from your web browser.

This new release can also scan and remove the preinstalled software bundled with new PCs (as opposed to programs Microsoft includes in Windows). This can improve your PC’s performance. AdwCleaner creates a system restore point when it detects preinstalled software.

3. Scan Malware

Malware Scanner or anti-malware is different from the typical anti-virus. As they will protect the computer from fresh viruses such as polymorphic malware. So, scan your computer by Malware Scanner once a week.

if you have doubt about your current antivirus means its detecting virus or no then it’s time to use Online virus scanners.

There are many online virus scanners are available but I am recommending Eset Online scanner (Download here), You can try it for free.

it’s a One-time scan solution to remove malware and threats from your computer for FREE.

Use VoodooShield to protect from malware and hack attacks