Much like how the human body can weaken when struck by a cold or flu, our electronic devices—particularly laptops and PCs—can also fall ill when a different type of virus strikes.

Computer viruses are malicious forms of malware that can damage your computer. They earn their name due to how they spread by “infecting” other files on a disk or computer. These viruses then move to other disk drives and machines when infected files are received through downloads from websites, email attachments, shared drives, or carried in files on physical media like USB drives.

You may have a virus. Just like our bodies can get sick from viruses, our electronic devices – like laptops and desktop computers – can also become infected. Viruses are a type of malware that can harm your computer by spreading through files on your disk or device.

There are several types of viruses that can infect your computer, including worms, adware, spyware, ransomware, bots, rootkits, and Trojan Horses. Each type of virus has its own way of infecting your device and causing harm.

There are multiple signs that can indicate your computer is infected with a virus. These signs include slow performance, unexpected pop-up windows, error messages, and missing files. If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to take action to remove the virus and protect your data.

You may have heard about them, or perhaps not at all, but here are some common types of viruses you might encounter:

1. Worms: These infect system entry points and spread through the device and any connected network.

2. Adware: While some adware is harmless, others use tracking tools to gather information about your location or browsing history.

3. Spyware: This type spies and collects data such as keystrokes, browsing habits, location data, and login information.

4. Ransomware: It infects your computer, encrypts sensitive data like personal or work documents, and demands a ransom for decryption.

5. Bots: These can make your machine execute specific commands without your knowledge, allowing hackers access.

6. Rootkits: This virus type enables attackers to take full control of your machine to steal data or install additional malware.

7. Trojan Horses: Once downloaded and installed, Trojans make changes to a computer and carry out malicious activities discreetly.

Signs of infection on your machine:

1. Slow performance: If programs take longer than usual to start, it’s often a sign of a virus. Sometimes, it could also be due to low RAM or hard disk space.

2. Unexpected pop-ups: Random windows popping up while browsing the internet are likely due to a virus at work. These pop-ups can contain serious malware threats if any links are clicked.

3. Error messages: Programs opening and closing automatically, random system freezes, or shutdowns for no apparent reason are early signs of infection.

4. Missing files: Severe viruses may delete or move programs around. Some can even encrypt and hide files so you can’t access them.

Ensuring your computer’s security is essential in today’s digital age. By recognizing these signs of infection early on, you can take steps to protect your data and device from potential harm.