Malware (also known as malware or malicious software) can interfere with a computer to collect personal data, access programs or systems on a network, and hinder its performance making it inefficient. However, there are some signs that indicate whether your computer is infected with malware, as well as things you can do to detect and remove all malware from your computer. This wikiHow teaches you how to detect malware on your computer.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Detecting Malware Based on Computer Performance
Step 1. Check if the operating system you are running has the latest version
Operating system updates are annoying. However, system updates usually include important security fixes. If you suspect that your computer has malware, make sure that your computer's operating system is up to date.
- You can update Windows in the “Update & Security” section of the “Windows Settings” app.
- On Mac computers, you can update the operating system by clicking the “ System Preferences ” on the Apple menu, then choose “ Software Update " For older versions of MacOS, you can update the operating system through the App Store.
Step 2. Pay attention to whether you often see pop-up windows
When your computer is infected with malware, you may often get lots of windows and pop-up ads. Do not download the program advertised in the window, even if the advertised program is antivirus or anti-malware software. Always download reputable programs from trusted sites.
Step 3. Look for a new toolbar or icon
If you see toolbars, browser extensions, or new icons that don't look like they were installed on purpose, there's a good chance that your computer has malware.
Step 4. Pay attention to whether you are frequently redirected to unexpected web pages
If your browser changes the home page frequently or redirects to another page while you're surfing, there's a good chance that your computer has malware.
Step 5. Observe if the computer's performance feels slower than it should be
Most malware runs in the background and consumes more power. If your computer is feeling slow, even when other programs aren't running, there's a good chance that your computer has malware.
Step 6. Check if the antivirus software and firewall are disabled
Some malware can kill antivirus programs and firewalls on your computer without your permission. Therefore, check whether the two programs are still running or not.
Step 7. Observe how often the computer crashes
Some malware can damage or delete certain files that your computer needs to run efficiently. If your operating system or certain applications are unresponsive, run slowly, or crash unexpectedly, your computer may have malware.
Step 8. Check the response of the connected hardware to the command you gave
Sometimes, malware interference prevents you from using your mouse, printer, keyboard, and certain features. If you are unable to use normal functions on your computer, it is possible that your computer has been infected with malware.
Step 9. Note the number of unusual error messages received
Sometimes, malware interferes with computer systems and causes them to display strange or unusual error messages when you need to use or access a program. Frequent error messages can indicate that your computer is infected with malware.
Step 10. Check if your personal email and social media accounts are hacked
If there are suspicious messages that you didn't write in your outbox, or posts and private messages that you didn't send privately on your social media accounts, it's possible that your computer's operating system has been infected with malware.
Method 2 of 2: Detecting Malware with Third Party Tools and Apps
Step 1. Do not enter passwords or personal information on the computer
Most malware can detect what you type. If you suspect that your computer has malware, do not use your computer for banking and shopping purposes. Also, do not enter passwords or personal information when using the computer.
Step 2. Load Windows in safe mode or safe mode
Follow these steps to load Windows 8 and 10 in safe mode:
- Click the “Start” menu icon in the lower-left corner of the screen.
- Click the “Power” icon.
- Hold down the " Shift " and click " Restart ”.
- Click " Troubleshoot ”.
- Click " Advanced Options ”.
- Choose " Restart ”.
-
Press the button"
Step 4.” when Windows loads.
Step 3. Click the “Start” menu icon
and type in Disk Cleanup.
The “Start” menu icon is in the lower-left corner of the toolbar, by default. After that, the “Start” menu will be opened. Type "Disk Cleanup" to display the Disk Cleanup program in the "Start" menu window.
Step 4. Click Disk Cleanup
The Disk Cleanup program will run after that.
If prompted to select a drive, select the drive that Windows is installed on. Usually, the drive is the "C:" drive
Step 5. Click the checkbox
next to "Temporary Internet Files" and "Temporary files".
Both boxes are tinted in the " Files to Delete " box in the Disk Cleanup window.
Step 6. Click Clean up system files
It's at the bottom of the Disk Cleanup window. Temporary files on the computer will be deleted afterwards.
Again, you may need to select a drive on the computer. Start with the Windows installation drive first (C:), then repeat the process for the other drives
Step 7. Click Ok
After the temporary internet files are deleted from the computer, click “ Ok ” to close the Disk Cleanup window.
Step 8. Visit a site that offers a third-party malware scanner app
This application can scan and detect malware on the computer, including devices that have been escaping the scanning of existing antivirus programs.
- Computer security industry experts recommend malware scanner applications such as Malwarebytes, BitDefender Free Edition, SuperAntiSpyware, and Avast
- You can also take advantage of the Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool. To use it, open the “Start” menu, type in “Windows Security”, then click the option in the “Start” window. Make sure that malware scanning is enabled, then click “ Quick Scan ”.
Step 9. Download a malware scanner app
Click the download button on the site to download the application. After that, double-click the installation file in the download directory to install the app. Usually, you will be guided through an installation wizard to download and install the app. Follow the instructions in the wizard to complete the installation.
If you can't access the internet on a computer infected with malware, download the app to a USB drive and move it to your computer
Step 10. Run the malware scanner app
Once downloaded to the computer, the application can be run via the “Start” menu.
Step 11. Update the app
Before running a scan on the computer, select the option to check for application updates and make sure the computer is running the latest version of the scanner application.
Step 12. Select the option to run a quick scan on the computer
Often times, a quick scan takes about 20 minutes to locate and detect malware. A full scan can take a few hours, but the process is much more thorough.
Step 13. Remove malware from the computer when prompted
The scanner application may display a dialog box containing any interference or malware, along with an option to remove the device.
If no malware is detected, try doing a full scan. This process can take 60 minutes or more
Step 14. Restart the computer
Allow the computer to load as usual after the malware is removed from the system.
Step 15. Make sure your computer's antivirus application is running
Check that the computer has a reliable antivirus application that is always running. Run regular antivirus and anti-malware scans on your computer.
