Computer viruses can corrupt valuable data, steal financial information, or even completely destroy your hardware. Unfortunately, malicious programs are often designed to hide in the background, so you may not even be aware that the computer is infected. Here are a few signs that you may need to take the machine to a professional virus removal expert.

How to Identify a Virus on a Computer

1. Slow Performance

Viruses consume a lot of RAM and other resources, dragging down computer speeds. An infection can cause the system to lag when booting up, and programs may randomly freeze or crash. Performance issues are often a sign of a computer virus, especially if they start suddenly.

2. Persistent Pop-Ups

Many viruses are designed to throw pop-up ads in an attempt to sell fraudulent services or steal personal information. These pop-ups often occur at irregular intervals and can show up even when the browser is closed. Malware with pop-ups can embed itself deep inside the operating system, which makes them extremely difficult to eliminate without the help of a virus removal professional.

3. A Different Home Page

To drive traffic to a criminal’s website, a virus may reset the homepage on a browser. In many cases, you’ll be unable to change it, or you might find a different homepage every time the browser is opened. The virus may also be collecting information or damaging the operating system, so it’s best to take the computer in for repairs immediately.

4. Redirected Browser

A virus can also hijack the browser while you’re on the web. If the computer is infected, you might find yourself landing on websites that don't match the URL that was typed or the link you clicked. These viruses are usually trying to get you to sign up for a fraudulent service or give sensitive information to cybercriminals.

5. Mass Emails Sent From Your Account

Many viruses use email to spread themselves or try to fool your contacts into visiting a fraudulent website. Many pieces of software can send out hundreds of emails using your credentials without you even noticing. If friends, family, and co-workers mention getting suspicious emails, a dangerous piece of software has likely gotten past your antivirus program.

If your computer is behaving strangely or doesn’t run like it used to, Experimax Portsmouth offers the reliable service and expertise you need in Rockingham County, NH. Their experienced virus removal professionals will eliminate malware from Apple® and PC computers and can help protect your equipment and sensitive information. Visit their website for more on their computer repair services, follow their Facebook page for tips and advice, or call  (603) 501-0410 to make an appointment.