How to understand that something is wrong with a computer

Make sure the system is properly protected before looking for problems. You can rely on the antivirus software that comes with the operating system, or choose a standalone product. It's a good idea to have a spare malware scanner that you don't need to install and that you only run when needed. Microsoft Safety Scanner or Dr. Web CureIt will do just fine!

But viruses are far from the only cause of computer problems. There are other signals that can tell you that your computer might break.

Slow work and insensitive to commands

If your computer starts to work slowly, this does not always mean that you have contracted a virus. It may turn out that attackers use your device for their own purposes, for example, to send spam or mine cryptocurrencies.

Run a thorough virus scan. Then check the programs running in the background. On Windows, open Task Manager; on macOS, open System Monitor. You will see a list of active programs. Among them there will be both familiar names and not so much. But if you do not recognize a process, this does not mean that it is malicious: it is better to look for information about it on the Internet.

If the virus scan yielded no results and you cannot find anything suspicious in active processes, a harmless program with errors may be the culprit for the slow work. Close all open windows one by one and start these applications again. If you see that the program consumes too much memory, remove it without a twinge of conscience.

It's also worth noting that poor performance can be a symptom that your computer is getting old.

Persistent error messages

Errors periodically pop up on all computers. But if they appear nonstop, then it's time to get worried.

The problem can be either malfunctioning hardware or a virus.

You have to look for the source of the error. First, carefully read the text of the message and check if there is an error code in it. Try to search the Internet for the information you received. Most likely, you will find something that will point you to the problem.

If you find out that the error is related to a specific program, then it will be enough to remove it and reinstall it. But not all problems can be solved so easily. If the error text is short, it can be difficult to find information on the web.

Check when exactly the error pops up. For example, if a malicious program is to blame, then there is a high probability that a message will appear when you turn on or off your computer or when setting up your antivirus. If the problem pops up when you plug in a bluetooth keyboard or other peripheral, then the gadget's outdated drivers are most likely to blame. Try to find more recent software on the Internet.

If that doesn't help, run the hardest virus scan you can. As a minimum, back up your apps and files and reinstall Windows or macOS. If the error has not disappeared anywhere, then the matter is probably in the components. In this case, repairs are indispensable.

Arbitrary settings changes

If applications start to behave strangely and change system settings without your permission, then the computer is probably infected with a virus. He will try with all his might to make sure that you do not delete him.

Often, the changes are visible primarily in the browser. The infection can disable certain functions, change the home page or the standard search engine. Sometimes the same actions are performed by extensions that have just entered the market. This is how developers promote their creations. These add-ons can be safely removed. Also, pay attention to the unclear where the icons on the desktop come from.

However, changes to the settings may not be harmful - programs periodically make changes to the system in order to function correctly. Just be careful not to apply these changes without warning, or to affect your browser and security applications.

To prevent malicious activity, roll back to the original settings, for example, reset the browser home page that you had. Perform a full virus scan of your system. If you notice that a program or browser extension is making changes, uninstall it.

Random browser pop-ups

Probably everyone has seen pop-up windows on the Internet. The very fact of their appearance is not harmful, but if there are too many of them and they offer to download something suspicious, then the computer is in danger.

Beware of browser messages that you have won a prize, a virus has been found on your computer, and so on, especially if after a pop-up window it is problematic to return to the start page.

Often, such notifications look unnatural, bright and pretentious: attackers do everything to attract the attention of gullible users, but they do not always do it skillfully.

If these windows continue to appear, check the list of browser extensions. For example, in Chrome they are located in the "Additional Tools" tab of the main menu, in Firefox - in the "Add-ons" menu. In Safari, add-ons can be found in the options. In any popular browser, extensions are within sight - you don't have to dig deep into the settings.

Remove any unnecessary add-ons and see if the problem goes away. If not, reinstall your browser. Run a virus scan - the pop-ups may be causing something outside of your internet browser.

Strange sounds

If the computer refuses to turn on, then this is a sign of problems with the components: they are either worn out, or something has led to their breakdown. But you should also pay close attention to repetitive sounds. They may indicate that something inside the computer is about to fail.

If you hear something suspicious, immediately save your data to another computer or cloud service. Even if the noise occurs only occasionally, it is never superfluous to back up important information.

When you are sure your files are safe, try to locate the source of the problem. If you have a laptop, remember if you've ever dropped it and spilled anything on the keyboard. All this can accelerate the degradation of the device. If the computer is relatively new, then there may be a foreign object - clean the connectors with a can of compressed air.

If the strange sounds persist, run system diagnostics. For example, to check the hard drive on Windows, you can use the free CrystalDiskInfo utility. On macOS, you can use built-in tools. By the way, issues with internal components can also cause overheating, random errors, and severe performance degradation.

Better not to try to fix your computer at home - just take it to a service center. And if the device is very old, then the best option would be to replace it.