Signs of Malware Infection and How To Remove It

Malware is malicious software that can infect your device in many ways, like when you download a free game or movie. Some signs that your device is infected with malware include random pop-ups, freezing or slowing down, suddenly limited storage space and apps you don’t remember installing.

Continue reading to learn the 10 most common signs that your device has a malware infection, how to remove malware from your device and how to protect your devices from becoming infected.

1. You start seeing random pop-ups

A sign that your device has become infected with malware is if you notice random pop-ups appearing. Malware can display ads on your device while you’re searching for something else online, and if you click on the ads – even to exit out of them – that could collect your data. These pop-ups could contain adult content or warn you that your device has been infected. In extreme cases, the pop-up might demand a ransom payment from you. No matter what message is displayed on these pop-ups, if they appear randomly, there is a strong chance your device has been infected with malware.

2. Your device is performing slower

If you notice that your device is working slower than it used to, it could be infected with malware. Since malware takes up your device’s resources, it will make it perform slower when it’s active. For example, if your device is having trouble loading your internet browser, you may have a malware infection on your device.

3. Your device freezes and crashes often

Because malware overwhelms your device’s operating system, it will cause your device to freeze and crash if multiple applications are running in the background. Even if you are only using one application at a time, malware can cause your device to freeze and use significant amounts of resources, which causes crashes.

4. Your camera indicator light remains on

When you use your device with a front-facing camera, you will notice that the camera indicator light typically turns green when you use an app with the camera. However, if your camera indicator light remains on after you’ve closed the app or camera, this can be a sign that your device has been infected with malware. If you aren’t actively using an app that requires the usage of your camera, the camera indicator light remaining on could mean that a hacker has access to your device’s camera or microphone.

5. You suddenly have no storage space

When malware infects your device, it could secretly take up a lot of memory. If you notice your device has no storage space all of a sudden, this could mean that malware has infected your device. Once you remove the malware from your device, you will gain that storage space back; more on that below.

6. Your browser’s homepage is randomly changed

A specific type of malware can target your web browser. After the malware has infected your device, the hacker will be able to change your browser settings, including which website is your homepage. For example, if your normal browser homepage is Google and you notice it has been changed to a random and suspicious-looking website, this is most likely a result of malware infecting your device.

7. You notice new browser extensions and apps you didn’t install

Similar to the sign above with your browser’s homepage, malware infections can also give hackers the ability to download browser extensions and other apps onto your device. If you aren’t cautious and observant of these changes, the malware will remain on your device without you even noticing. Make sure to go through your extensions and apps carefully, and double-check that you installed them to begin with.

8. Your browser keeps redirecting you

Another sign of malware related to your web browser is when you are redirected to websites you didn’t plan on visiting. Some malware can affect your web browser and lead you to spoofed websites. Spoofed websites are intended to look like real websites; however, there is something slightly off with the spoofed website – for example, a slight difference in the URL. The goal of spoofed websites is to trick you into entering your private information, credit card number or credentials, like you would for a legitimate website, but in this case a cybercriminal collects the data for themselves. If you notice that you get redirected to these spoofed websites often, your device is most likely infected with malware.

9. You have an unusual spike in internet usage

If you discover that your internet usage has skyrocketed out of nowhere, this could mean that your device has been infected by malware. Your internet will most likely become slower when this happens, so it’s important to check where your network’s bandwidth is being used to determine if the spike is caused by malware.

An unusual spike in internet usage could also be caused by a specific type of malware called a Trojan horse. Trojan horses infect your device with malware by disguising themselves as legitimate software or files. Once the software or file is installed onto your device, Trojan horses allow hackers to spy on you and steal your private information. Always check to make sure your files and software are legitimate to prevent this kind of sneaky malware from infecting your device.

10. Your online accounts have suspicious login attempts

If you have received numerous emails or notifications from your online accounts that suspicious login attempts have been made, your accounts may be compromised. These suspicious login attempts mean that a cybercriminal is trying to access your online accounts and, if they succeed, can spread malware. In these situations, it is best to make sure you have strong and unique passwords, as well as Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) enabled, so your accounts are protected from hackers gaining access to them.

How to remove malware from your device

Luckily, if you do realize that your device is infected with malware, there are some easy steps you can take to remove the malware from your device.

Immediately disconnect from the internet

As soon as you learn that malware has infected your device, disconnect from the internet. This will stop more of your private data from being sent to hackers. Stay off the internet as much as possible until the malware has been removed from your device.

Scan your device using antivirus software

One of the most effective ways to remove malware from your device is by using antivirus software. Installing antivirus software allows you to scan your device for any viruses or malware, and then remove them. Antivirus software scans your device to detect if any known viruses match with your device’s code. If there is a match, the antivirus software deletes the file or app, eliminating the malware.

Delete unusual files and apps

If there are files or apps on your device that you don’t recognize, it is safest to delete them altogether. These suspicious files or apps could be malware in disguise, so deleting them will remove the malware from your device.

Turn on safe mode

Most devices have some sort of safe mode feature, which allows your device to only accept the minimum required software to download. Turning on safe mode makes it much easier to remove malware because it will prevent it from infiltrating your device further. To turn on safe mode, follow these steps:

For Mac

1. Restart your Mac, then press and hold Shift
2. Once the Apple logo appears, release Shift and log in

For PC

1. Restart your PC, then hold down Shift and select Power → Restart
2. Once your PC restarts, go to Choose an option
3. Select Troubleshoot → Advanced Options → Startup Settings
4. Click Restart and wait for the next screen to appear with options
5. Select 4 or F4

Factory reset your device

Before the last resort of doing a factory reset of your device, make sure all of your data is backed up or else you will lose it forever. After backing up your device, it is safe to complete a factory reset, as this will wipe out everything from your device – including malware. In some extreme cases, it may become necessary to do this if nothing else will eliminate the malware.

Protect your devices against malware

Malware is designed to be sneaky and unsuspecting, so it’s important to know how to not only remove it but also prevent it from infecting your devices. Make sure to keep your devices’ software updated because the latest updates will include bug fixes, new security features and additional measures to protect your device against malware. Be mindful when you receive unsolicited links or attachments, as these could be phishing attempts to download malware onto your device. Avoid storing your passwords in your web browser, and instead store them in a password manager which will encrypt your private information and keep it safe.

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