If you suspect or confirm that your computer is infected with a computer virus, obtain the current antivirus software. The following are some primary indicators that a computer may be infected:
| • | The computer runs slower than usual. |
| • | The computer stops responding, or it locks up frequently. |
| • | The computer crashes, and then it restarts every few minutes. |
| • | The computer restarts on its own. Additionally, the computer does not run as usual. |
| • | Applications on the computer do not work correctly. |
| • | Disks or disk drives are inaccessible. |
| • | You cannot print items correctly. |
| • | You see unusual error messages. |
| • | You see distorted menus and dialog boxes. |
| • | There is a double extension on an attachment that you recently opened, such as a .jpg, .vbs, .gif, or .exe. extension. |
| • | An antivirus program is disabled for no reason. Additionally, the antivirus program cannot be restarted. |
| • | An antivirus program cannot be installed on the computer, or the antivirus program will not run. |
| • | New icons appear on the desktop that you did not put there, or the icons are not associated with any recently installed programs. |
| • | Strange sounds or music plays from the speakers unexpectedly. |
| • | A program disappears from the computer even though you did not intentionally remove the program. |
Note These are common signs of infection. However, these signs may also be caused by hardware or software problems that have nothing to do with a computer virus. Unless you run the Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool, and then you install industry-standard, up-to-date antivirus software on your computer, you cannot be certain whether a computer is infected with a computer virus or not.
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