Do I have a Virus?
There are many symptoms that may indicate the presence of viruses in your computer. However, in many cases these symptoms may be just related to other type of problems. In this article, we have compiled a list of typical symptoms for computer viruses.
Certain symptoms of computer viruses
- Somebody tells you that they are receiving emails from you with unusual content and/or attachments. However, you know you haven’t sent these messages.
- Somebody tells you they were receiving instant messages from your account asking them to go to a particular website. However, you never sent those instant messages.
- Your internet security options get modified without your consent.
- A trusted antivirus or antispyware tells you that you have an infection.
Likely symptoms of computer viruses (*)
- Your computer is noticeably slower than what it used to be.
- You get “Not Responding” messages when running an application or several applications simultaneously.
- Your computer crashes often.
- The programs doesn’t run start up or run properly.
- You can’t see all your local or network drives.
- You cannot connect to external devices as printers.
- Your antivirus program stops working or cannot start.
- There are new shortcuts and files in your desktop which you don’t recognize.
- Your computer plays sounds or music without your intervention.
- Your keyboard doesn’t respond properly i.e. some letters repeat and some just don’t come up.
- Programs get unexpectedly removed.
- Your computer doesn’t start.
- You keep running out of memory.
(*) These symptoms may also be caused by other hardware or software problems.
How do I check if I have a virus?
The only way to be certain is to run a good antivirus and antispyware program. However, remember to update it before using it. Otherwise you may not find any recently created viruses.
How can Techie Now help?
Most of our customers come to us claiming to have one or more symptoms from the above lists. Most times they don’t know they are infected. At Techie Now we inspect and diagnose your computers to remove any virus traces. Most times this is much more than just removing a Virus. Sometimes the actual symptoms persist even after the virus is removed. When you request our services, our Techies will the infection and the symptoms you perceive.