What is malware? – Bitdefender information zone

Recognizing a malware infection isn’t always easy, but you can look out for the following telltale signs:

1. Slow system performance: A slow computer, especially when browsing the Internet or running applications, may indicate that malicious code is using up valuable system resources. High CPU usage or overheating may also indicate background malware activity.

2. Annoying ads and pop-ups: Unwanted ads appearing on your screen are often the work of adware, a specific type of malware. These ads are not only intrusive, but can also serve as gateways to other types of malicious code.

3. The system crashes and freezes: If you experience frequent system crashes or the dreaded “blue screen of death” (BSOD), malware is likely interfering with your system processes, causing instability.

4. Unexpected disk space usage: A sudden reduction in available disk space may indicate that malware is downloading malicious files to your hard drive without your consent.

5. Unusual activity on the Internet: Watch for unexpected spikes in data usage or connections to unknown external IP addresses. These may indicate that malware such as Trojans or botnets are communicating with a command and control (C&C) server.

6. Changed browser settings: Changes to your home page, default search engine, or new browser extensions appearing without your knowledge may indicate browser hijacking malware.

7. Security software disabled: If you find that your antivirus or other security measures are disabled and you can’t turn them on, you may be dealing with malware designed to weaken your protection.

8. Ransom demands or locked files: Encrypted files with accompanying ransom demands requiring payment are a hallmark of ransomware, a particularly nasty type of malware.

9. Subtle symptoms: Some advanced types of malware may run without any visible signs, quickly draining your device’s battery, sending emails on your behalf, or displaying intermittent error messages.

Please note that these symptoms are not definitive proof of malware infection. Alternative explanations may come into play, such as software incompatibility or hardware problems.

If you suspect your system is infected, follow these three basic steps malware removal: :

1. Install cybersecurity software: Download and install trustworthy security software that can detect and remove malware.

2. Run a system scan: Use security software to perform a full system scan.

3. Change passwords: Reset all passwords, including email, social media and bank account passwords. It is also recommended to use multi-factor authentication to add an additional layer of security.

Please note that some types of malware may require more specialized removal techniques. For more details and practical insights on malware detection and removal, visit our dedicated resource.