17 ways to detect your device has been hacked or infected with malware
Cyber threats are on the increase across the world, and no network or device is safe. Hackers are getting advanced and using automated tools to increase the scale of attacks they can run.
Malware is a significant threat. It has evolved into a devasting tool for hackers and can exhibit its effects immediately or wait whilst it collates data and keystrokes.
Whilst antivirus helps, Zero Day threats can cause carnage as they do not always get detected by security solutions.
What are Zero-day threats?
A zero-day threat is usually a software-based vulnerability that hackers can exploit and is usually targeted as soon as it is discovered. This means that not many vendors are aware of it, so updating the software or making patches available takes some time.
How to stop zero-day threats?
Stopping these threats means being able to patch and secure your software very quickly. If a patch isn’t available, you should limit browsing the internet from the device with the software/vulnerability.
Many of the leading antivirus solutions do have behavioural analysis, which monitors for odd system behaviour and can stop unusual activity but this may not always end it all.
17 ways to detect your device has been hacked or infected with Malware
Being aware of how your device performs is key to understanding if you have experienced an attack. There are tell-tale signs that the device may exhibit, which include some of the following.
1. Your device performs very slowly, and processor and memory usage spikes regularly without reason.
2. You keep receiving pop up notifications on your device asking you to visit a site or informing you that your device has been compromised.
3. You receive a ransomware message that instructs you to contact an email address and to make a payment in bitcoin or another cryptocurrency.
4. Your Internet browser has unwanted tools bars appear.
5. Your browser redirects randomly to other websites.
6. Your email contacts receive random emails from you with links to suspect web sites.
7. Your online passwords stop working and require you to reset the password.
8. Your device has software installed and available that you never installed
9. Your mouse and keyboard randomly move or allow for characters to appear on the screen.
10. Your antivirus solution disables or may have been uninstalled
11. The task manager is not able to open, and if it does its running at 100%
12. Your online bank account has money missing, or someone has tried to withdraw cash.
13. Your files and data have been renamed with an odd extension that implies they have been encrypted by ransomware.
14. Your get alerted by Chrome that your password has been compromised.
15. Your device randomly shuts down or reboots.
16. One of your colleagues or friends informs you that you have been hacked
17. Your smartphone received authentication requests to log in to online services you have MFA enabled on
So there you go. Any of the above can be signs that your device and email has been hacked. In observing any of the above; you should immediately.
> Disconnect from the Internet
> Using an alternate device, download an offline antivirus emergency kit. A good example would be the Emsisoft Emergency Kit. Install this on the device and perform a full scan
> Change all of your passwords from another device that you know is safe and secure.
> Restart the infected device and perform another full antivirus scan.
> Aim to purchase and install a paid-for antivirus such as Bitdefender Total Security
> Once you have performed a full scan and it’s clean, changed all your passwords and the system is working properly notify any of those that were affected by your breach.
Of course, if your device is managed by your company or IT support provider, they should have been notified of the breach and made sure your device is safe.
If that did not happen, perhaps give Teck Genius a call, and we would be happy to help you.
If you like the sound of the ‘hands-off’ experience and having your IT and Cybersecurity taken care of by highly trained professionals, we would love to hear from you. Call our friendly team of experts on 0345 314 2001 for a relaxed chat about how we can make all this happen for you. Our team is ready and waiting to help in any way they can.
You can also find us at www.teckgenius.co.uk, where you’ll discover our full range of services that help you leverage the power of technology whilst enjoying the cost-savings that it brings. Alternatively, please contact us here
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