8 Signs Your Laptop Has Malware

Whether you use a laptop for work or entertainment, you want a device that does its job with minimal problems.

Cybersecurity threats like malware are powerful enough to ruin your experience. And unless you take a proactive approach, the problem only grows.

Those who are unsure whether they have malware on a laptop need to identify signs that give away the issue.

Let’s take a look at some of the examples of when your laptop acts weird and why you should be thinking about dealing with malware.

1. Lack of Storage Space

The first telltale sign of malware on a laptop is the fact that the total available storage is decreasing over time.

It is one thing when you know what you download and install to note the drop in the free space and another when it starts disappearing randomly.

If you notice it, consider the possibility that malware is spreading on the device and consuming the space.

2. Security System Changes

Default security system changes on a laptop should not be tinkered with unless you know what you are doing.

Some malware types aim to first tinker with the device’s security settings to pave the way for consequent breaches.

When in doubt, check the security system settings and look for unusual changes, such as certain features getting completely disabled.

3. Suspicious Random Files

Random files appearing out of nowhere are one of the biggest signs that your laptop has malware problems.

The files may vary from media images to .exe shortcuts. PDFs are another example. While being praised for their security, they are still no exception, and PDF malware is an actual thing that you need to be wary of.

4. Files Disappearing

Unless you delete a file yourself, it should not disappear from the laptop. For the most part, anyway.

In case important files start disappearing at random, do not ignore this problem. The odds are that a virus is making extra space for it to spread by eliminating data.

5. Resource-Heavy Processes in the Background

Check the Activity Monitor (macOS) or Task Manager (MS Windows) and sort the processes by resource usage.

An idle computer should not be having issues as far as resource consumption is concerned. It makes sense when you launch a video game or multiple tabs on an internet browser. On the other hand, if the device is idle, resource consumption has to be low.

As soon as you notice a questionable process consuming a lot of memory, for example, try to close it. If it persists, restart the laptop, and if the issue is still there, it is more than likely that you have a virus on your device.

6. Fake Alerts, Pop-Ups, and Messages

Using the laptop, you don’t expect to see various random pop-ups, alerts, and similar messages. There are exceptions, such as opening a website and getting an ad on your face.

Yet if these things start happening out of nowhere, it should not come as a surprise that there is potential malware on the computer.

One or two messages might not seem like a big deal. Some treat them as an outlier, but they can still be an early warning sign. It is better to be safe than sorry and react before the problem snowballs out of control.

Some malware is aggressive and spam devices with warning messages to fool them into giving access, which causes further issues.

7. Messed Up Internet Browser

The internet is the most common source of malware. You may browse the web without paying too much attention and end up on a shady website. Or, open an email attachment, unsuspecting that it is meant to infect your laptop with malware.

Speaking of the internet, your browser is another source that shows whether there are problems on the device.

For one, if you notice a sudden change to a random home page, treat it as a sign. Or, if the browser has installed random toolbars you have no idea about, it should be treated as another warning.

8. Crashes and Overall Performance Woes

A decent laptop should not crash out of nowhere. Nor should it run slowly, whether you are watching a video on YouTube or playing a video game.

Random crashing or a notable drop in the overall performance when the laptop feels sluggish, or lags are something you cannot ignore.

How to Deal With Malware

The most obvious method to solve malware problems is antivirus software. Use it and scan the laptop. If the tool finds corrupted data, remove it. And be sure to have antivirus software running in the background all the time.

In more extreme cases, you might have no other choice but to reinstall an operating system and give the laptop a clean slate, freeing it from malware.