Do we all know what are signs of computer virus, trojans or other malware?

The reason why most computer malware are so deadly is because many users fail to recognize whether they have been infected or not. Had they detected the infection at an earlier stage, the damage caused could have been greatly reduced. As each virus is programmed differently, it becomes difficult to identify a virus outbreak. However, there are some general symptoms that makes it easy to detect an infected computer. Here are some of them:-

1. Programs won’t start or crash suddenly: If some system programs like the task manager or registry editor have suddenly stopped working or crash randomly without any visible reason, it is more than likely that your computer has got some form of worm that is attaching itself to various programs and thus, corrupting their code. A virus modifying registry entries to prevent these programs from running could also cause this.
2. Unusual Network Traffic: If even after closing your browser and other applications that may use the internet, you see that your computer is still downloading or uploading anything, then your computer is possibly infected with some form of spyware that is either downloading other viruses to your computer or is uploading your private information to a remote computer. In case you use a wifi connection, it is also possible that your neighbors are using your network.
3. Internet Connection not available or is slow: If suddenly, your internet connection has stopped working or has become extremely slow, it is possible that a malware is the cause. However, problems with your internet service provider could also be the cause of such issues.
4. Annoying Popups or Redirection to Strange Websites: If there has been an increase in the number of annoying popups while browsing the internet or your web browser redirects you to a different website from the one you wanted to visit, a virus or adware might be the cause.
5. Computer won’t boot: If your computer has suddenly stopped booting, it is possible that some malware has modified your computer’s system files. In such a situation, re-installing or repairing your operating system might be the only solution.
6. Slow Computer: Some viruses are designed specifically for this purpose. Malware programmers achieve this by designing viruses that increase your CPU‘s usage level to 100%. If on running the Task Manager, you find that your CPU’s usage is constantly at 100% level, a malware might be the cause.
7. Programs start automatically: Some viruses and adware automatically start strange programs on your computer in order to show unwanted advertisements or simply to frustrate users.
8. Unusual File Associations: Some viruses change .exe or other file associations which prevents these files from opening. Some viruses also do this to automatically start themselves when a file of particular type is started.
9. Security Software Disabled: Most malware disable anti viruses and firewalls to prevent themselves from being detected. If only a single software stops working, it might be a specific software failure issue. If it is a general trend and almost every security software is facing this issue, a virus infection is most likely.
10. Weird Behaviour: If your computer automatically starts sending emails or opens strange applications randomly or does things different from its “normal” behavior, your computer is most likely compromised by malware.

Stellar Phoenix Solutions engineers are trained and certified in all leading encryption and forensics technologies and have scores of satisfied customers all over the globe. Put us to the test today! Don’t be a victim of low prices and false promises. We guarantee our service standards.

• Call us at 1 855 BY STELLAR (297 8355) or click here to complete a service request form.
• You may also visit our website directly to learn more about our capabilities

We are committed to building the value of the Stellar Phoenix brand and we stand behind our service to you. We want to earn your trust and confidence as your “go-to source” when you have data retrieval challenges.

Related articles

• Many New PCs in China Come With Malware Preinstalled (tomshardware.com)
• How To Get Rid Of Untrue Antiviral Application From Your Computer Program (pctechmojo.com)
• Testing anti-virus using web threats (simonedwards.blogspot.com)
• Malware is able to infect other malware and in some cases make it easier for anti-virus software… (new-aesthetic.tumblr.com)

Is Mac Really Virus Free? Mac’s reputation for being virus-free has outlasted the reality.

For decades, Mac users enjoyed a major advantage over Windows users ‒‒ a general immunity to viruses, worms and Trojans. Apple Inc., in fact, has long cashed in on its reputation for being largely invulnerable to security breeches.

But times have changed. In recent months, Mac users have become familiar with the Flashback virus, a malware program that has infected more than 600,000 Macsworldwide ‒‒ about 1 percent of all Macs, according to an article on eWeek.com. Apple quickly came under fire for failing to foresee a set of flaws in Java that failed to detect malicious code.

Complicating things is the rising popularity of various handheld Apple products ‒‒ most notably the iPhone and iPad ‒‒ that put the Internet directly into consumers’ hands.  And, Macs have risen to a vital plateau ‒ they now account for more than 5 percent of the market, which, according to the U.K.-based tech website IT Pro, is the threshold that makes the development of viruses, worms and Trojans worthy it to scammers.

Mac’s reputation for being virus-free has outlasted the reality. Over the past year, Mac users have become increasingly familiar with malicious codes, such as the Trojans Tsunami and Revier/Imuler, and the phony antivirus program Mac Defender. And though the number of reported Flashback infections has sharply dropped, the fact is, Mac systems are vulnerable to attack and will continue to be so.  Apple has taken the threat seriously and implemented new security features designed to ward off infectious software. And the company has told its customers to keep its anti-virus software up to date.

But many Mac users continue to have a false sense of security. As far back as 2005, Toms Hardware reported that a major Mac virus was inevitable. A year later, the first breakout of OSX/Leap-A, a worm written specifically for Mac OS X, hit the scene.

By the end of 2008 Apple confirms, You Need Anti-Virus For Your Mac. Apple says the following in a technical note: “Apple encourages the widespread use of multiple antivirus utilities so that virus programmers have more than one application to circumvent, thus making the whole virus writing process more difficult.”

One of the problems is that many Mac users are former Windows users who have not learned how to effectively operate Mac platforms. So they install Mac-usable Windows programs into their systems, opening themselves up to attack. According to IT Pro, approximately 1 in 5 Macs harbor some kind of Windows Trojan and as many as 1 in 36 Macs harbor Mac OS X-specific malware infections.

At Stellar Phoenix, we have seen it all. Our skilled staff has been trained in Mac systems by Apple itself. In fact, we started looking for solutions the day we heard that Mac systems were susceptible to viruses and malware. With track record of 98% recovery with at least 75% of data, we understand Apple technologies in depth. Our unique recovery methodology enables us to recover data from thousands of Mac PCs suffering from viruses and malware then most of our competition.

Put us to the test today! We guarantee our service standards.  Call us at 1-855-BY STELLAR (297-8355) or click here to complete a service request form. You may also visit our web site directly to learn more about our capabilities.

“Like” us on Facebook       “Follow” us on Twitter      “Join” us on Google+

Related articles

• 20% of all Macs ‘carrying malware’ (techradar.com)
• One in five Macs infected with Windows malware: Sophos (business.financialpost.com)
• Apple Macs spreading Windows malware (telegraph.co.uk)