To check if your system has a virus, you can follow these steps:
1. Check for Unusual Behavior
- Slow performance: Your system becomes slower than usual.
- Pop-ups: Unwanted pop-up windows, even when you're not browsing.
- Programs you didn’t install: New software or toolbars appearing without your knowledge.
- Crashes or errors: Frequent system or application crashes.
- High disk or CPU usage: Your system resources might be highly used by unknown processes.
2. Use Built-in Security Tools
- Windows Defender (Windows): Go to
Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > Virus & Threat Protection
. Run a full scan. - XProtect (Mac): macOS has built-in antivirus software that works in the background. However, you may want to use a third-party scanner if you're seeing issues.
3. Use a Third-Party Antivirus Software
Install and run a scan with antivirus tools like:
- Malwarebytes
- Norton
- Kaspersky
- AVG
These tools can detect and remove a wide variety of threats.
4. Check Task Manager/Activity Monitor
- Windows: Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and check the processes tab for suspicious or unknown processes.
- Mac: Use Activity Monitor (Finder > Applications > Utilities) to check for unusual activity.
5. Review Network Activity
Monitor network usage for unusual traffic or connections. On Windows, you can use Resource Monitor (resmon
) to track network activity.
6. Scan External Devices
If you’ve connected external drives or USBs, scan them for malware as well.
7. Check Browser Extensions
Sometimes malicious browser extensions can cause issues. Review installed extensions and remove any that you don’t recognize.
If you find anything suspicious, it’s crucial to take action immediately—either by removing the malware manually (if you're familiar with the process) or using antivirus software to do it.
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