Signs your device may have malware
A device can be infected with malware in many ways. If you’re worried your device is infected, look out for these signs.
What it is
'Malware' is any kind of malicious software designed to damage or harm a computer system. Usually, malware aims to gain access to your device without you knowing it's there.
It can be difficult to tell if there is malware on your device. Not all malware includes large popups or ads that won't go away, sometimes there are more subtle signs.
Signs your device may be infected
A device can be infected with malware in many ways. If you’re worried your device is affected by malware, start by assessing the previous behaviour of your device.
It’s normal for the behaviour of your device to change over time, for example your device may run slower as it ages. Sudden changes in device behaviour, however, could be indicative of a malware infection.
-
My device is suddenly very slow
If your device is working normally one day but is slow the next it could be a sign that malware is present on the device.
Smartphones, laptops, and tablets all have components which become less efficient as they age. A gradual decline in performance should be expected, however, there may be cause for concern if there’s a sudden decline in performance.
Things to rule out that may be affecting its speed:
Battery life
The battery in most devices will gradually degrade over time. Some devices will also reduce performance automatically when battery is low, to maximise battery life.
Low storage space
Devices have limited storage, and as this fills up it can be slower to access the information on the device. Remove any unused files and uninstall applications that are no longer needed. Remember, photos and videos use up a lot of storage, we would recommend creating secure backups of this data in accordance with our advice:
Background applications
Some applications can run in the background, and may use up processing power of your device, even when you’re not actively using it. Close any applications you are not using.
Device is behind on software updates
Often device software updates include performance enhancements. Keeping your device up to date will ensure that you both get all the latest security patches and any performance related updates.
-
Unfamiliar programs apps or files have appeared
If a new app or program suddenly appears on your device, it can be a sign of malware.
A web search for the name of the program or app may help you identify if it is malicious. However, malware often masquerades as recognisable programs or files, so this is not always an accurate measure of the presence of malware.
If you are unsure this is a great question to ask your IT provider.
Remember, malware cannot just appear on your device, it must come from somewhere.
Only download applications from reputable sites. If you are using IOS or Android, ensure that you only download apps from the official Google Play or Apple App Store.
While new applications and files can be a sign of malware, applications can update over time which can result in their name or appearance changing, or new files being created.
New operating system versions on a device may include the addition of new applications and many devices also have pre-installed applications, which may be essential to the running of your device.
-
Other suspicious behaviour
Pop-ups, unexpected changes to your
behaviour, or other suspicious changes in your devices can be a sign of malware.The software you use to access the internet, such as Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge or Safari.
You can try re-installing specific applications (such as your browser) to see if it helps resolve the issues.
What to do next
If you remain concerned that your device has malware, you can either reach out to a third-party provider to seek help on next steps or learn how to remove malware from your device.