With so much information swarming the internet, and with so much data broadcasted between PC’s, it’s inevitable that at some point you will contract a virus, whether it’s evil or just a prank. Since evil comes in many forms, PC malware may sometimes sneak undetected onto your system to spy and collect everything you hold dear, or simply lock your date up with ransomware and hold it hostage for a quick buck.
Either way, the typical malware aims to covertly infiltrate and then enable an attacker to do as he pleases with your hardware and data. While some malware is easier to remove than others, it all wants to stay undetected and give an attacker full remote control.
Performance Clogging
If your PC starts chewing on more RAM or CPU power than usual, although nothing has changed in terms of running programs, it might be a sign that something fishy is going on and someone or something might secretly be doing something. This is usually one of the first signs that something might be going on with your PC and it’s highly recommended you do a full system scan using a security suite.
Your internet connection might also be affected, as data could be mined covertly, clogging your connection in detriment of other apps that might need internet access to perform their regular activities.
Storage drives may also become unresponsive or constantly seem like they’re working harder, meaning that files are either written or copied from your hard disk drives. If you can’t pin down the source of the activity, question marks should follow.
Data Theft
The old axiom that “information is power” has never been more accurate, as every byte of data you send online or have stored on your computer can be used against you. Everything from passwords to bank account numbers or compromising pictures and classified company files can be sold to the highest bidder as long as they have some value to someone.
Virulent adware can sometimes be just as intrusive as malware because it can sometimes require access to more data than users suspect. The more adware frameworks bundled with an app, the more likely the collected data will be broadcasted to more than one third-party.
Strange messages
Some malware may cause strange messages to be displayed when certain files are accessed or when certain applications are used. This could be a result of data corruption - malware is the prime suspect.
If files fluctuate in size without you accessing them, it could be a sign that malware or some remote individual might be accessing and editing them without your knowledge. Access permission errors are usually a sign that either some other application is currently using a file or that some malware wants to keep away prying eyes.
Since error messages are easy to spot, it’s also a good idea to investigate the cause to figure out if the reason behind the “complaint” is really legit.
Antivirus protection disabled
One of the nastiest things malware can do to your PC is to disable your antivirus protection, provided you have one. If your PC is caught with its guard down, all types of malware that lurk on the internet might find their way to you.
By disabling your antivirus and firewall protection, anyone with a little hacking knowledge can remotely seize control of your workstation and start nosing around for sensitive data to use either against you or the company you work for.
An up-to-date antivirus solution should easily disable by your run-of-the-mill malware, but malware won’t stop at infiltrating your computer. The usual behavior is to infiltrate all other computers tiedin to your network so it can silently control them.
Conclusion
While malware can do plenty of nasty things to you, reality dictates that, in some cases, it could be a lot worse or a lot better. User awareness and readiness for dealing with malware and preventing malware infestations is still lagging.
The best way to stay safe is to install a leading security solution and be mindful of what files you download and what websites you visit. Keeping all installed software up to date is not only wise but mandatory, as most systems can be compromised via unpatched vulnerabilities in commonly used software, such as Adobe Flash or Reader.
