(Opens in a new window) See all (4 items)Ĭreating and distributing fake antivirus programs (also called scareware) is a lucrative business. While you’re there, disable any extensions that you don’t use on a regular basis. Redirection attacks often rely on browser extensions, so if you suspect a problem, dig into your browser settings and disable or delete any extensions that you didn't install deliberately. In that case your only clue is the unfamiliar URL in the Address bar. For example, a banking Trojan might divert your browser to a fraudulent site that looks just like your bank's real site. Sometimes the redirection is less noticeable. Not every site redirect is malicious, but if you find that trying to reach DuckDuckGo or Google takes you to an unfamiliar search site, you've got a problem. Other times they contain links to malicious websites that will attempt to drop more malware on your PC. Sometimes they're ads for legitimate products, netting an affiliate fee for the adware perpetrator any time someone clicks on the ad. While not as common as they used to be, adware programs bombard their victims with advertisements. Software isn't perfect, and sometimes a brand-new zero-day malware attack can slip past your security, at least until the purveyors of your protection push out an update.

Just because you've got malware protection installed doesn't mean you can ignore these warning signs.

Is your PC just slow, or is malware dragging it down? How can you know? If you’ve noticed any of the seven warning signs below, you may have a malware problem. Sometimes, though, a slow system or weird behavior can be an outward and visible sign of an inward and terrible malware infestation. The mishmash of programs you’ve installed may not get along, yielding peculiar behaviors. Instead of enjoying blazingly fast speed, you become a connoisseur of spinning “wait” icons. After a while, things start to get messy. Oh, you may have to clear out some crapware that came pre-installed, but that new PC is humming along at its most effective. How to Set Up Two-Factor AuthenticationĪ brand-new PC out of the box is such a joy.How to Record the Screen on Your Windows PC or Mac.How to Convert YouTube Videos to MP3 Files.How to Save Money on Your Cell Phone Bill.How to Free Up Space on Your iPhone or iPad.

How to Block Robotexts and Spam Messages.

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