Author: davepickering

In 2022, there were over 1.3 billion malware programmes in existence and 10% of these were computer viruses, according to research from the AV-Test Institute.  

A computer virus may spread from one device to another, take over your software and steal information that can be held at ransom.  

Spam emails, instant messaging, file-sharing devices, fake antivirus downloads, unpatched software and infected hardware are the ways in which viruses can infect your computer. 

Cybersecurity experts VPN Overview reveal six common symptoms of having a computer virus and how to remove it:

Six signs of a computer virus 

1. Slow performance  

If you’re questioning whether your computer has a virus, observing its performance is one of the first tell-tale signs. As long as you’re regularly updating and taking care of it, your device should work soundly. Malicious code, however, typically hijacks computing power and may lead to unbearably slow performance.  

2. Freeze-ups and crashing  

There are multiple reasons why your laptop might be crashing. It may be time to restart it, close down one of the many windows you have open or buy a new one – but it could also be a sign your computer has a virus. 

3. Missing files  

Malware has been known to delete important data. Once it has infiltrated your device, you may receive multiple pop-ups and notice your files are missing. Don’t ignore this – it’s a tell-tale sign of a virus that should be taken seriously.  

4. New files appear  

In addition to missing files, you may also notice new files mysteriously appearing. Viruses can replace your files with encrypted ones, although these are likely malicious and will only further harm your device if you click on them.  

5. Problems with hardware  

Viruses have been known to cause system changes that affect external hardware and accessories. If you can’t get that USB drive and wireless mouse to connect properly or work as it should, for example, it could be a sign of a virus.  

6. Computer operating by itself  

Computers are complex machines, but they shouldn’t be executing demands without your authorisation. If you’re noticing that your device is acting unusually – maybe files are opening by themselves or it feels like another person is controlling your computer – you may have a virus.  

How to remove a virus from your computer 

1. Download an antivirus programme 

To remove a virus from your computer, start by downloading an antivirus programme. These will offer you effective real-time protection against malware. There are countless options to choose from, such as Bitdefender for Windows and Avast Security for Mac.  

2. Disconnect from the internet  

Malware often spread viruses through the internet, which can lead to multiple devices becoming infected. To stop this from happening, disconnect from the Wi-Fi network. 

3. Run a virus scan  

Run a virus scan using your chosen antivirus programme. This will likely detect the virus infecting your computer and remove it. If the scan fails, you may wish to remove it manually by using the Windows Registry or launching your activity monitor on a Mac.  

4. Check for updates  

Next, check for any recent updates on your computer. Windows and Mac regularly release these to keep your device as secure as possible from cyberattacks.  

5. Enable your firewall  

Firewalls help protect your device from any unauthorised access. These are usually included in your antivirus software, so remember to enable it by going into System Preferences or the Windows Start menu.  

A spokesperson at VPN Overview commented: “The digital landscape is constantly evolving. In turn, cybercriminals are developing more ways to steal data, money and cryptocurrency. By understanding the tell-tale signs of a virus, consumers and companies can protect themselves from the dangers of malware both at home and in the workplace.  

“Downloading a reliable antivirus software, updating your computer, adjusting your privacy setting and installing a firewall and anti-malware apps are all ways you can defend yourself from malware. You should also avoid opening suspicious email attachments.  

“If any of the above symptoms persists, it’s good practice to address the problem as soon as possible and take your device to a professional. We’re eager to see if cybersecurity statistics will decrease this year in light of this information.”  

VPNOverview.com are a dedicated team of cybersecurity and privacy professionals offering guidance on these topics in the most accessible way possible.  

• Women more concerned than men with macroeconomic impacting their finances
• Men more concerned with personal life factors like divorce impacting their finances
• Men spend nearly two hours longer reviewing their finances each month
• Nearly two thirds of people expect to spend more time managing their finances in 2023

A majority (57%) of UK women are worried that their standard of living will fall over the next 12 months, reveals independent research conducted on behalf of Handelsbanken Wealth & Asset Management. Men are slightly less concerned, with just over half (51%) worried their standard of living will decrease.

The research revealed that energy prices top the general population’s concerns in terms of the impact on their personal finances and their standard of living. Women are generally more concerned with the impact of macroeconomic factors such as inflation, while men are more worried about issues such as stock market volatility and Capital Gains Tax.

Proportion of women/men concerned about macroeconomic/political factors impacting their personal finances

Factor	Women	Men
Energy prices	85%	76%
Cost-of-living crisis/recession	83%	75%
Rising inflation	83%	75%
Global economic downturn	66%	62%
Rising interest rates	61%	54%
Geopolitical instability	52%	54%
Income tax increase	55%	54%
Stock market volatility	40%	45%
Property market decline	39%	36%
Capital gains tax increase	31%	33%

However, men are overall more concerned than women when it comes to personal life factors, such as family disputes and illnesses impacting their finances. Nearly a quarter of men (23%) are worried about the financial impact of divorce, vs 14% of women, for instance.

Proportion of women/men concerned about personal life factors impacting their personal finances

Factor	Women	Men
Scams and fraud	52%	45%
Death of your partner/spouse	45%	40%
Retaining family wealth in the event of divorce	39%	36%
Illness or injury presenting me from work	35%	36%
Losing my job	29%	31%
Losing control of family wealth	25%	30%
Family disputes	23%	26%
Divorce	14%	23%

The study also found that the average person in the UK spends nearly seven hours a month reviewing their financial commitments, with general household costs and bank accounts taking up the most time – 56 minutes and 50 minutes respectively. Unsurprisingly, nearly two thirds of people (61%) see this time increasing over 2023.

Men are revealed to typically spend 1 hour 47 minutes longer than women reviewing their financial commitments every month. When it comes to pensions and investments, women spend 45% less time reviewing them.

“With so many potential worries on the table and only so much time in the day, it can be hard to know where to focus efforts when it comes to financial plans”, said Lydia King, Head of Wealth Planning at Handelsbanken Wealth & Asset Management.

“It’s important to plan for a range of scenarios, without allowing short-term influences – such as high inflation – to become an obstacle to building robust, long-term financial plans. Getting the right advice from a wealth planner can allow you to home in on the issues that matter, whilst efficiently taking economic growth projections to expected personal spending habits into account.

“We encourage women in particular to seek advice and become more involved in their finances, especially given their high levels of concern. Dishearteningly, our study found lower levels of financial literacy and confidence among women when it comes to financial planning, meaning they often stay away from key financial planning discussions.”