Malicious programs such as viruses, malware, or spyware are quite common. They can clutch your device and steal your personal details. The more time the virus stays in your device, the more harm it will cause to your system and stored data. It may work in the background without disrupting other functions. This article will highlight the signs of troubling activities caused by virus infection.
Excessive Data Usage
If your device is constantly losing its data, even the unlimited data plan, it is likely due to the presence of a virus. The rapid depletion of mobile phone or tablet data can be caused. This is because the virus tries to perform multiple background tasks and interact with the internet. Malicious apps or programs have to send and receive information from their creators using the internet. So, it will consume more data than expected.
Slow Device Performance
A slowdown in your device performance is another sign of malware infection. In fact, malware can slow down your operating system. This might happen due to low RAM, running so many apps altogether, insufficient space on the hard disk, pending OS updates, or outdated drivers. Identify what’s slowing down your device and utilize these 15 ideas to optimize its speed.
Unexplained Charges
Unauthorized or unexplained charges on your bank statements or credit card is another sign your digital device has a malware infection. If you are being informed by family and friends about receiving a payment-related message from you, it is due to a virus infection. The malicious app can make a fraudulent purchase on your behalf. Even the infected device can send messages to premium-rate numbers.
Faster Battery Drain
The malware on digital devices not only consumes data but can also take your device’s battery. Although batteries degrade naturally after some time, certain battery optimization tips can help. To perform some background tasks, malware can hijack your device, which eventually requires the most frequent battery recharge. If frequent battery drain is not caused by other reasons, malware infection may be the culprit.
Frequent Overheating
Even though overheating is the most common digital device problem, it can be a sign of malware infection. If it is caused due to normal causes, it doesn’t overheat to the level that you cannot touch it. But, when specific malware enters your device and overworks the internal processor or charging mechanism, it will cause excessive overheating. Unplug your device from power sources and turn off your device immediately.
Sudden Pop-up Messages
If you are suddenly receiving warning messages that would not go away, you may be infected with malware. Many users reported that they get a message for running out of disk space on a specific partition. Delete unwanted files or apps, and find out if your physical storage space is increasing extensively. If these are not the culprits, it could be a sign of malware. It uses several methods to cover the available space in the hard drive.
Unnecessary Apps
When you are noticing the presence of apps that you have not installed intentionally and unintentionally, malware could be the reason. It happens when an application carries malware and related additional programs during its downloading. Sometimes, identifying their presence becomes extremely difficult as Trojan download apps are designed just like real apps. Hence, if you find any unfamiliar app you have not downloaded, delete that.
Bad Connections or Dropped Calls
Alongside higher data consumption, malware infection can hamper your calling process and internet connectivity. If your phone has a malware infection, it may cause a sudden drop in the calls or slow down the internet connectivity. It can affect your phone’s cellular or Wi-Fi connection. Identify the reason by checking the connectivity of the same network with other devices. If they work properly, your phone becomes a victim of malware infection.
What Else?
It is not necessary that malware leaves a certain clue behind its presence. Cybercriminals are getting more creative nowadays. They can hide malware in the most unexpected zone while infecting your digital device badly. Hence, if everything seems to work normally on your device, you need to be careful. Scan for malware and check out for it. Install a security solution that does scanning and stops threats earlier.
The Conclusion
Prevention is better than cure; safeguard your digital device by practicing the safety measures. Install comprehensive security and antivirus software. Regularly update your device to get the latest security features.
Don’t click the unknown apps or pop-up messages. Use unique and strong passwords. Avoid jailbreaking your device as it reduces safety. Don’t download any app from any random third-party app stores without checking reviews.
Online Threat Alerts Security Tips
Pay the safest way
Credit cards are the safest way to pay for online purchases because you can dispute the charges if you never get the goods or services or if the offer was misrepresented. Federal law limits your liability to $50 if someone makes unauthorized charges to your account, and most credit card issuers will remove them completely if you report the problem promptly.
Guard your personal information
In any transaction you conduct, make sure to check with your state or local consumer protection agency and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see if the seller, charity, company, or organization is credible. Be especially wary if the entity is unfamiliar to you. Always call the number found on a website’s contact information to make sure the number legitimately belongs to the entity you are dealing with.
Be careful of the information you share
Never give out your codes, passwords or personal information, unless you are sure of who you're dealing with
Know who you’re dealing with
Crooks pretending to be from companies you do business with may call or send an email, claiming they need to verify your personal information. Don’t provide your credit card or bank account number unless you are actually paying for something and know who you are sending payment to. Your social security number should not be necessary unless you are applying for credit. Be especially suspicious if someone claiming to be from a company with whom you have an account asks for information that the business already has.
Check your accounts
Regularly check your account transactions and report any suspicious or unauthorised transactions.
Don’t believe promises of easy money
If someone claims that you can earn money with little or no work, get a loan or credit card even if you have bad credit, or make money on an investment with little or no risk, it’s probably a scam. Oftentimes, offers that seem too good to be true, actually are too good to be true.
Do not open email from people you don’t know
If you are unsure whether an email you received is legitimate, try contacting the sender directly via other means. Do not click on any links in an email unless you are sure it is safe.
Think before you click
If an email or text message looks suspicious, don’t open any attachments or click on the links.
Verify urgent requests or unsolicited emails, messages or phone calls before you respond
If you receive a message or a phone call asking for immediate action and don't know the sender, it could be a phishing message.
Be careful with links and new website addresses
Malicious website addresses may appear almost identical to legitimate sites. Scammers often use a slight variation in spelling or logo to lure you. Malicious links can also come from friends whose email has unknowingly been compromised, so be careful.
Secure your personal information
Before providing any personal information, such as your date of birth, Social Security number, account numbers, and passwords, be sure the website is secure.
Stay informed on the latest cyber threats
Keep yourself up to date on current scams by visiting this website daily.
Use Strong Passwords
Strong passwords are critical to online security.
Keep your software up to date and maintain preventative software programs
Keep all of your software applications up to date on your computers and mobile devices. Install software that provides antivirus, firewall, and email filter services.
Update the operating systems on your electronic devices
Make sure your operating systems (OSs) and applications are up to date on all of your electronic devices. Older and unpatched versions of OSs and software are the target of many hacks. Read the CISA security tip on Understanding Patches and Software Updates for more information.
What if You Got Scammed?
Stop Contact With The Scammer
Hang up the phone. Do not reply to emails, messages, or letters that the scammer sends. Do not make any more payments to the scammer. Beware of additional scammers who may contact you claiming they can help you get your lost money back.
Secure Your Finances
- Report potentially compromised bank account, credit or debit card information to your financial institution(s) immediately. They may be able to cancel or reverse fraudulent transactions.
- Notify the three major credit bureaus. They can add a fraud alert to warn potential credit grantors that you may be a victim of identity theft. You may also want to consider placing a free security freeze on your credit report. Doing so prevents lenders and others from accessing your credit report entirely, which will prevent them from extending credit:
- Equifax
- Experian
- TransUnion
Check Your Computer
If your computer was accessed or otherwise affected by a scam, check to make sure that your anti-virus is up-to-date and running and that your system is free of malware and keylogging software. You may also need to seek the help of a computer repair company. Consider utilizing the Better Business Bureau’s website to find a reputable company.
Change Your Account Passwords
Update your bank, credit card, social media, and email account passwords to try to limit further unauthorized access. Make sure to choose strong passwords when changing account passwords.
Report The Scam
Reporting helps protect others. While agencies can’t always track down perpetrators of crimes against scammers, they can utilize the information gathered to record patterns of abuse which may lead to action being taken against a company or industry.
Report your issue to the following agencies based on the nature of the scam:
- Local Law Enforcement: Consumers are encouraged to report scams to their local police department or sheriff’s office, especially if you lost money or property or had your identity compromised.
- Federal Trade Commission: Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357) or use the Online Complaint Assistant to report various types of fraud, including counterfeit checks, lottery or sweepstakes scams, and more.
- Identitytheft.gov: If someone is using your personal information, like your Social Security, credit card, or bank account number, to open new accounts, make purchases, or get a tax refund, report it at www.identitytheft.gov. This federal government site will also help you create your Identity Theft Report and a personal recovery plan based on your situation. Questions can be directed to 877-ID THEFT.
How To Recognize a Phishing Scam
Scammers use email or text messages to try to steal your passwords, account numbers, or Social Security numbers. If they get that information, they could get access to your email, bank, or other accounts. Or they could sell your information to other scammers. Scammers launch thousands of phishing attacks like these every day — and they’re often successful.
Scammers often update their tactics to keep up with the latest news or trends, but here are some common tactics used in phishing emails or text messages:
Phishing emails and text messages often tell a story to trick you into clicking on a link or opening an attachment. You might get an unexpected email or text message that looks like it’s from a company you know or trust, like a bank or a credit card or utility company. Or maybe it’s from an online payment website or app. The message could be from a scammer, who might
- say they’ve noticed some suspicious activity or log-in attempts — they haven’t
- claim there’s a problem with your account or your payment information — there isn’t
- say you need to confirm some personal or financial information — you don’t
- include an invoice you don’t recognize — it’s fake
- want you to click on a link to make a payment — but the link has malware
- say you’re eligible to register for a government refund — it’s a scam
- offer a coupon for free stuff — it’s not real
About Online Threat Alerts (OTA)
Online Threat Alerts or OTA is an anti-cybercrime community that started in 2012. OTA alerts the public to cyber crimes and other web threats.
By alerting the public, we have prevented a lot of online users from getting scammed or becoming victims of cybercrimes.
With the ever-increasing number of people going online, it important to have a community like OTA that continuously alerts or protects those same people from cyber-criminals, scammers and hackers, who are every day finding new ways of carrying out their malicious activities.
Online users can help by reporting suspicious or malicious messages or websites to OTA. And, if they want to determine if a message or website is a threat or scam, they can use OTA's search engine to search for the website or parts of the message for information.
Help maintain Online Threat Alerts (OTA).