Does My Computer Have a Virus? Signs of Infection
Not all viruses affect computer systems in the same way, but there are several warning signs to look out for including:
Sluggish performanceUnusual pop-up dialog boxesUnexpected crashesDisabled antivirus toolsChanges to your browser homepageSlow internet connections
In some situations, a PC virus won’t cause any noticeable changes to your system. Therefore, consistent scanning with a quality antivirus program is the only way to protect your computer.
How to Tell If Your Computer Has a Virus With the Windows Task Manager
Reviewing Windows Task Manager for unusual or odd-looking processes is a good place to begin. Some malware runs on startup and will attempt to disguise itself as a normal Windows process. With a quick Google search, you can quickly discern whether a process is legitimate. To manually detect a virus with Windows Task Manager:
How to Scan Your Computer for Viruses With Windows Defender
Windows Defender is the built-in anti-malware application for Windows 10. To scan for viruses with Windows Defender:
How to Scan for Viruses on Windows 7 With Microsoft Security Essentials
Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) is a free program that offers real-time protection from malicious software and viruses on Windows 7. To use MSE to scan for viruses: After the scan is complete, any potentially harmful files or threats will be listed.
Perform a Malware Check Using Third-Party Antivirus Programs
Although Windows offers its own tools for virus and malware protection, it’s always good practice to scan your system with a variety of antivirus software since each program has its own virus signature database. In some cases, Windows might not flag a file that other antivirus tools will, and vice-versa. Running multiple scans with different software providers is the best way to get an accurate picture of exactly what’s going on. There are several free virus checkers and paid antivirus tools to choose from.
