With remote working on the rise and the work from home culture here to stay, an increasing number of people are using their work laptops for personal use. This makes your computer vulnerable to digital threats.
Certain viruses can lurk silently in the background, avoiding detection and before you known it, they may wreak havoc and compromise confidential business information stored on the device.
Various computer viruses and malware can invade your workplace PC and cause data breaches along with other digital problems for your organisation. That’s where the experts at Redpalm can help.
In this article, we’ll go through the signs that show your computer has virus issues and we’ll walk you through how to protect your office PC from these malware attacks.
Let’s get started!
5 Tell-tale Signs that Your Computer has Virus Issues
1. Pop-up Ads
If your computer shows frequent and odd pop-ups while you’re browsing or simply logging in, this is a clear sign that your computer has virus issues. These pop-ups will tell you to visit other websites and force you to download software programs, which might be malware in disguise.
In worst-case scenarios, you might accidentally install spyware that’ll take over your browser and steal your company’s or your personal information, like passwords, without your knowledge.
2. Slow Performance
If your files and applications take an oddly long time to load, your computer might have a virus or malware in its operating system. Viruses tend to work silently in the background but take up a large percentage of your computer’s processing power.
In other words, any noticeable speed decreases in your computer, for example, it taking a long time to launch a program or applications not working, are signs of a virus in your computer.
3. Unknown Applications on Your Computer
If there are some random applications or programs on your computer that you haven’t installed, this might have been the work of a virus. However, this is just a tiny part of a massive problem.
These applications might launch without you taking any action and cause crashes or other issues on your computer, leaving you helpless. Therefore, you should turn these programs off and delete them if they start randomly.
4. Odd Activity on Your Email Account
If the email outbox in your computer contains messages that you didn’t send or if you find random posts that you didn’t make on your social media account, your PC might be facing malware attacks.
In these cases, you’ll need to warn the people you’ve sent these messages to and tell them to avoid clicking on any of the links. Also, reset or change the passwords on your accounts after you’ve got rid of the virus.
You should also be cautious about receiving any phishing emails from your colleagues to avoid getting viruses on your computer.
5. Changes on Your Homepage
Things like your homepage randomly changing to another website or a new toolbar appearing out of nowhere are signs of possible cyber security threats by viruses. This usually happens when you accidentally click on suspicious links or advertisements.
You will probably have downloaded some unwanted software onto your device that might be malicious and could compromise your data. It’s vital to take immediate action for these issues, as they could lead to a bigger malware problem.
How to Check for and Get Rid of Viruses on Your Workplace Computer
If you’ve noticed any signs that indicate your computer has virus issues, then you’ll need to go to the ‘security program’ in your Windows 10 or 11 and perform a scan on your computer. To do this, go to the ‘Open Windows Security’ tab on the Privacy and Security window.
Perform an anti-malware scan by clicking on the Virus and Threat Protection button. If any viruses are discovered by the scan, the system will automatically remove them.
Another method is to use an anti-virus software or Redpalm’s cyber security service to perform a proper scan and get rid of any viruses on your computer.
Avoid Viruses and Other Malware Problems with Redpalm’s Robust IT Solutions
Viruses and malware in your employee’s computers can cause data breaches and other IT issues that can hinder both regular major company operations.
Overall, they can affect the overall growth of your business, leading to unimaginable losses. You’ll need a cyber security service that can not only help with malware protection but also with any issues that impact your business continuity.
The IT experts at Redpalm are always ready to help with any current or future issues that impact your business. For more information, visit our homepage or contact us today to book your free IT Review!
