Has your network been breached?
We’ve been talking about how to avoid getting hacked, but how do you know when it happens? How do you know it hasn’t already happened? There are several ways that your computer can inform you that you have been hacked, if you know what to look for. Today we’re going to take you through some of the signs of a security breach. Let’s take a look.
Antivirus software has been disabled or removed.
If you notice that your antivirus software is no longer active, try to reactivate it. If you can’t, then odds are that you have been hacked. Similarly, if you cannot open your antivirus software, you should be very careful.
Suspicious programs have been installed.
Are you seeing programs that you don’t think you installed? These could potentially be malicious programs that have wormed their way onto your PC.
Passwords have been changed without your consent.
If you notice that your online passwords have changed without you changing them, this could be a bad sign.
Lots of unusual browser pop-ups usually indicate a security breach.
Pop-ups aren’t always an indicator of a hack, but when they show up in places that they haven’t before, you may have cause to worry. For example, if you’re seeing pop-ups on Google’s homepage or other trusted sites, then you should be concerned.
What can you do about this?
If you have reason to believe that you’ve been hacked, then you should turn off your computer at your earliest convenience. The sooner you turn it off, the less likely the damage is to spread throughout your machine. If you feel comfortable, restart your machine in safe mode and see if you can identify the malicious software that has invaded your computer. Try deleting it and see if you’re back on track. You can also perform a system restore, taking your computer back to a time where you were clean. Make sure that you’re backing up important files into a secure location in case of major incidents like these.
If You Need Strong IT Solutions, Call On Global Harvest Networks!
Global Harvest Networks has been working for the Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia areas since 2000 and we’re ready to lend our expertise to you! We offer a wide range of IT solutions that can tackle any and all of your network’s needs. Please don’t hesitate to contact us so that we can help you! You can also give us a call at 410-691-1130. We’re ready to assess your system, diagnose the problem, and help you find a plan that will strengthen your network all free of charge!