I’ll keep it simple but thorough.
First off, let’s clarify something: there are different kinds of malware out there, but I’m going to focus on two specific types: Remote Access Trojans (RATs) and info stealers. A RAT basically lets someone else control your computer remotely. It’s like giving someone your house keys and them walking in and out whenever they want, except it’s digital, and they just want your data. Info stealers are like the budget version of a RAT. They don’t stick around to control your system; they just steal what they need and leave.
These info stealers come in two flavors: one-and-done stealers and startup stealers. One-and-done stealers run once, steal your data, and then delete themselves, so once they’re gone, it’s like they were never there. Honestly, this is the scarier one because it’s hard to catch. Startup stealers, on the other hand, will keep coming back every time you boot up your computer. They’re persistent and a bit easier to notice since they stick around in your startup folder.
Signs of a Compromised Computer
So, how do you know if something fishy is going on? Let’s go over a few red flags.
Restricted Access to Administrator Functions
One thing to watch out for is if you suddenly lose access to administrator functions on your computer. It’s not uncommon to encounter a situation where certain functions appear grayed out, with the computer indicating that the system administrator has disabled them. Unless you’re in a workplace or school where IT has locked down your system, you really shouldn’t be seeing that. If this happens on your personal computer, well, sorry, but you’ve probably been hacked.
Windows Defender is Disabled
Another thing to check is whether Windows Defender has been mysteriously turned off. Let’s be real, very few people are turning Defender off on purpose, so if it’s disabled and you didn’t do it, you should definitely start getting concerned. Tamper protection being off is another bad sign, as hackers will often disable your antivirus software to keep their malware running undetected.
Unusual Exclusions in Antivirus Settings
Speaking of Defender, one classic trick malware uses is adding exclusions in your antivirus settings. They might exclude entire drives or certain folders, basically giving themselves a free pass to avoid being caught. If you see that something like your entire C drive is excluded or you notice strange folders in AppData or ProgramData, those are strong signs that something’s up.
Using Sysinternals to Detect Malware
Now, there’s a free tool called Sysinternals that will help you check what’s running on your computer. It’s an incredibly useful suite of utilities, and if you’ve been hacked, this tool is almost guaranteed to catch something suspicious. Two tools in the suite are particularly helpful: Autoruns and Process Explorer. Autoruns shows you what’s set to start when your computer boots up. If there’s malware running, it’s probably lurking here. Process Explorer gives you a detailed look at all the processes running on your system. You can check what’s normal and spot anything that shouldn’t be there.
Once you open these, if everything looks verified, especially if the publisher is Microsoft, you’re in the clear. If you see unverified programs or processes, that’s a problem. Malware will often pretend to be something legitimate, but it can’t fake the verified publisher status.
What to Do If Your Computer is Infected
Alright, if you find yourself dealing with an infection, the first step is to disconnect from the internet immediately. I’m serious, if a hacker is on your system, the last thing you want is for them to keep having access. Next, you’ll want to run a malware scan. Something like Bitdefender is a solid choice, but let’s be real here: even with a good antivirus, once your system is infected, you can’t really trust it anymore. My recommendation? Reinstall Windows. I know it sounds drastic, but honestly, it’s the only way to be 100% sure the malware is gone. If you’re going down that road, the safest way is to use a separate computer to download the Microsoft Media Creation Tool, put it on a USB drive, and reinstall Windows from scratch.
What to Do If Your Data is Stolen
So, let’s say your system’s been compromised, and your data is stolen, what now? Unfortunately, you can’t undo what’s already been taken, but there are a few steps you can take to protect yourself moving forward. First, change all your passwords, especially your email account, because that’s often the gateway to the rest of your accounts. Second, cancel your credit cards if you had any sensitive financial info on the computer, and get in touch with your bank. If you use any crypto wallets, transfer your funds to a secure wallet that wasn’t on the infected machine. And don’t forget to enable two-factor authentication. This adds an extra layer of security even if someone has your password.
Stay Safe and Enable Notifications for My Updates
In the end, dealing with malware is never fun, but being aware of the signs and knowing how to react can save you from a lot of headaches. If something looks suspicious on your computer, don’t ignore it. Whether it’s strange processes, disabled security settings, or even just a gut feeling that something isn’t right, take action quickly.
Alright, so now you know how to check if your PC’s been hacked. Stay safe out there, your security matters. And if you’d like to subscribe to my updates but missed the notification or previously unsubscribed, you can enable notifications again by going to your browser settings.
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