Are you worried about your computer security or wary of what you think could be abnormal activity? Hacking is an issue not to be taken lightly and it is worth acquainting yourself with common signs that reveal a system breach, even if you haven’t yet noticed anything strange.
Recognising the signs enables you to put a stop to hacking before it puts your computer and personal data at any serious risk of misuse.
There are often a number of signs that indicate that your device is in the process of being hacked, but they can be easy to miss. In this article, Syntax IT Support London highlight some of the key warning signs to look out for in order to keep your computer and data safe.
1) Unrecognised programs
Unrecognised programs appearing on your computer can indicate hacking, particularly if you are the only user of your machine. Hackers install these programs onto your machine to operate as backdoor viruses, allowing them to control your computer while they run undetected in the background. Be aware however that you may have installed certain programs indirectly, by forgetting to untick a sneaky checkbox during the installation process of some software that you did knowingly install. These ‘extra’ programs and plugins are free offerings, most often harmless, and can be easily uninstalled if you don’t have any use for them. New programs can also appear on your machine through automatic updates of existing software.
Unrecognised programs often appear to be legitimate, but if you are sure that they have not been installed through any of the means listed, they are likely a symptom of infection. Through backdoor or Trojan viruses, hackers can gain access to sensitive information. These attacks present a significant threat to both businesses and individuals.
2) Unwanted toolbars
New toolbars appearing on your browser without your permission are another sign of infection. These are similar to unrecognised programs in that they can be unwittingly installed as additions to other software. Unwanted toolbars can change your browser homepage and default search engine without your knowledge so these are other signs to look out for. They can also manipulate your search results and create ad pop ups, aimed to encourage users to visit certain webpages.
3) E-mail spam
Email spam is something that your contacts might notify you of after receiving suspicious correspondence from your account. These emails will likely contain links that should not be trusted, in case of malicious content or requests for personal details. If your email account is sending spam mail, it’s a sign of infection. Malware can replicate and distribute itself through your email, and this kind of infection can also exhibit itself in your social media accounts.
4) Disabled antivirus
Once they’ve accessed your machine, hackers are sometimes able to uninstall or disable your antivirus and security software. This prevents the usual warning messages from appearing onscreen, rendering the infection invisible until it has already caused damage. It’s worth checking your security software every so often to ensure that it’s still running as normal, and following up with a complete scan of your machine to check for malware.
5) Computer carrying out actions by itself
If your mouse cursor moves on its own, this is a sure sign that your machine has been hacked. Cursor movements can sometimes be caused by hardware issues, but if the movements are not randomised and programs are being opened, your machine is very likely to be infected. In this case, a hacker has established contact with your computer and is able to control your system. If the hacker is able to access an internet connection, they may attempt to break into bank accounts and steal money, among other malicious actions.
Protecting your data and personal details is vital, so hacking is something that you should always be on alert for as a savvy computer user. By using these tips you can become a sharp-eyed protector of your machine, safe in the knowledge that you’ll recognise any signs of infection immediately.