Intruders in Your PC: How to Spot Them

Perhaps you’re getting confused as to why your PC suddenly starts to slow down, especially when you’re basically starting it up. Then you have noticed numerous ads popping in your screen when you still haven’t surfed the Web. Worse, there are files that have been corrupted or damaged.

What you may not know, however, is the fact that maybe your PC is infected with a virus. There are many types of viruses and malware, and their effect can range from minor to severe. Nevertheless, they are still considered threat to your system. How do you keep track of them? Here are 10 ways:

1. Run your antivirus and anti-spyware software. There are many software that can help you scan your system to check if there are hidden viruses or adware. They can identify what kinds of viruses are inflicting your PC. You can also have the choice of deleting them into your computer or putting them in quarantine. Nevertheless, you should make sure that the software you are using are safe. You basically don’t like to worsen the condition with a defective or a scam software.

2. Use online security. It’s not only offline that your system can get affected. One of the main causes, the Internet, can also cause harm into your PC. To know how not secure you are when you are surfing the Web, there are different analysis software that you can use. On of these is Shields Up. You can check Internet ports to check if you are in stealth mode, which is considered to be the safest mode for your PC. It will also provide recommendation how to shut down the system when you are becoming vulnerable to hacks.

3. Check your wireless network. It’s only when your system is connected to network cables that your system is very prone to hacking. It may even happen when you are making use of a wireless network. You can check your MAC address, making sure that they are filtered, or monitor the routing setting. You may also employ the use of a free program that can do the monitoring of wireless networks for you.

4. Run your Firewall. It may not really detect the presence of viruses in your PC, but it will prevent your computer from being more vulnerable to spyware and other programs that are being planted by hackers into your system. You may also have to enable your Auto Update as it will automatically update your firewall. Keeping it up to date will make it more capable of fighting unscrupulous scammers and hackers from attacking your PC.

5. Tweak your settings. To make sure that there are no more viruses that can cause damage into your files, you must be able to allow your PC to accept auto updates. But since there is a default schedule for it, if your computer is off or you’re not connected to your PC by that time, you may not be able to receive one. So it may be ideal to modify the settings of your Auto Update so it will match the schedule of your home or office PC use. You may also opt to be notified when the update is ready for you.

6. Your PC uploads unauthorized files. There are certain types of viruses that will cause your PC to upload files without your permission. This is also the case with spyware and adware, which will send all of your confidential information to hackers and other individuals who will be using them for malicious intent or to sell you some products and services.

7. Monitor your PC’s system configuration utility. MSConfig can give you an idea of whether your PC is infected with a virus or not. You can click on Start, then Run, and then type in MSConfig. Press the tab for Startup. Then look for those program names that may appear like those of eye charts. This is because viruses and other malicious software are usually renamed using random characters.

8. Your PC shuts down automatically. It is a classic way of hinting if there are viruses and adware infecting your computer. It will automatically shut down even if you haven’t started it up properly.

9. You have distorted dialog boxes. There are a number of worms and viruses that love to make themselves known. That’s why images in your desktop, especially the format of your menu as well as dialog boxes appear to be very distorted.

10. Your PC receives error messages that are unusual. It may be that there are error messages that keep on popping, and yet they look as if something you’re not familiar with. It’s time to scan your computer as there could be viruses that are causing such occurrences.

Written by: OSAblogger / Bill Wardell - Please Read Our Latest OSA eZine Edition

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OSA Technorati Tags: analysis software, antivirus, intruders, malware, stealth mode, types of viruses

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