VLog #65 – 5 signs your computer may be infected
Video – VLog #65
What are the five signs of computer virus infection?
What are some common signs that the computer is infected?
How do you know when your computer is infected with virus or malware?
Script – Vlog #65
Willie Nicol: Hello everyone and welcome to another fun filled and information packed episode of The Techno Dinosaur Meets The I.T. Geek. I am Willie Nicol the Techno Dinosaur and I’m called that because I’m technologically challenged. However, I am also a personal development life coach based in Troon, South Ayrshire, U.K.
Willie Nicol: Now, today as usual my, partner in crime, my compadre, David Logan is with us. So, how are you and where are you today David?
David Logan: Hi Willie, I’m great. I’m David Logan the I.T. Geek, the guy who takes the jargon out of technology for you the home worker, keeping it simple, keep it short. I’m based here in Annan, Willie, south west of Scotland, U.K. Great day to be alive and kicking.
Willie Nicol: Quite so David, quite so. So, the topic for today is actually very relevant because 5 minutes before I came on, I got a little pop up on my computer to say that my anti-virus had detected no threats so we’re all good.
Willie Nicol: However, we have talked previously about anti-virus, anti-malware and so on to protect your computer. But let’s say that you don’t have that or it hasn’t worked, what are the signs that your computer has been infected, if that’s the word, by a virus?
David Logan: Fantastic Willie, thank you for that. So, I’m going to take you through 5 scenarios which can show that your, not just your computer, but your device may be infected so this can be for every-day use.
David Logan: So, number one is your computer, laptop or smartphone is very slow. Number two, your computer, laptop or smartphone is very hot, I can remember you saying that one time. You keep seeing ads and pop-ups on your system.Number four is my device keeps crashing. And the fifth sign is, I get warnings from my anti-virus software, interestingly enough what you just said there.
David Logan: So, I’ll run through them very quickly. So, the first one is your device is running very slow. If it suddenly stops and slows down it may be a sign that there’s something wrong. Certain malware types, you’ve got these crypto miners nowadays and botnets, overload your device. They effectively steal your resources from your device, that’s how it slows down.
David Logan: Point two, your device is very hot, another indication. Have you ever had the device, your computer’s made a lot of noise? Chances are the fans are going too hard, that inside they’re working overtime to keep the electronic fans cold. Us humans we sweat, computers they need fans. Why is it overworking? It’s because the central processor has been pushed by something, it’s been using something, no it’s been used intensively, and it could be malware that’s on the system to push it that.
David Logan: You keep seeing ads and pop-ups, number three, you keep seeing ads and pop-ups, pop-ups, additional tabs open automatically on your device. Have you ever seen that classic sign of malware? The virus will automatically load websites as part of an ad fraud scam or try to trigger your computer and download more malware. So, if you’ve got loads of ads, pop-ups popping up beware, give me a shout.
David Logan: Number four, your device keeps crashing. So sometimes if your device is unresponsive or spontaneously reboots itself it may be a virus. Now, I know early days of Windows 10, it used to restart without any warning which was not a lot of fun especially when you had 50 computers to look after, you can imagine severe pressure but potentially that could be a virus at the time it was just Windows 10. So, the device restarts or crashing because it can be an extreme version of the overheating issue, your computers resources become so overloaded that it just shuts down, go down, fans can’t take up.
David Logan: Number five, which is where you come in, you got a good sign today, your anti-virus, everything’s clear. But do you know did it do a full scan or did it do a quick scan? A quick scan is when it checks the critical areas. A full scan scans everything on your computer. So, are you talking about in the middle of a five minute scan which doesn’t take a lot of resource or it could be a five hour scan, depends what you have on your hard disc. But what this is saying here is that if you get warnings from your anti-virus that you’ve got a virus, you’ve got malware or you could have a trojan. Most of the main stream anti-virus software will give you the option to clean it, delete it or ignore it, your choice and that is the five options.
David Logan: So, I’ll run through them quickly. So the five things to look out for is … your device is very slow because it’s working hard, it’s something that’s overtaking your device that’s making it work.
David Logan: Number two your device is very hot. Why? Because it’s having to work, it’s having to push itself, it’s like exertion like a human body when you go running. You’ve done running, I’ve done brisk walking, we perspire. The computer can perspire as well but it’s moving fast and the fans, you hear the fans go.
David Logan: Number three, you see ads and pop-ups, that’s a sure sign. My tip here, unplug your computer from the network, from the internet browser, from the not internet browser, disconnect it from the router. So, it’s not, no traffic coming in or out, phone me, we’ll get it sorted for you one way or another way, we’ll get it looked at for you.
David Logan: Number four, your device keeps crashing, it’s overheated or it’s just completely unresponsive and you can’t …. it just says “Ugh, I’ve had enough, lets restart”.
David Logan: The final one if your anti-virus software, it’ll say, “I’ve got problems”. But beware, the biggest thing about viruses is not to click on that link, only click on a trusted link. If it’s a website or an email make sure you go to the legit website, phone that legit company or person or contact before you click on it. That’s me for today.
Willie Nicol: Excellent David. Thank you very much. So, in a nutshell, if you get any one of these five signs, maybe apart from the fifth one, the first four, what’s the first port of call, what’s the first thing to do? Switch your computer off or your device off? Disconnect it from the router? What should you do immediately to prevent further damage?
David Logan: I would say initially switch off, give it a couple of hours and then switch it back on and see what happens. If it’s still playing up, phone somebody like myself. I’m at the end of the phone, I’m contactable, I can go through the next steps.
Willie Nicol: Fantastic. Thank you, David, right. I hope that has been of great benefit to you viewers, what to do if you see any signs that your device has been infected by a virus. Thanks again David. I’ll just sign off now by saying to the viewer, have fun, stay safe, stay well. Goodbye for now.
David Logan: Take care everybody. Have a great week. Remember, search for the Techno Dinosaur Meets the I.T. Geek, find our videos, enjoy it, spread the word, spread the love. Have a great week and, as Willie says, don’t be too serious, have some fun! Have a great week everybody. Cheers from us both. Thank you.
