Ever wondered what the tell-tale warning signs of a hack are? In this article, we’ll outline some of the most common signs that indicate you’ve got a problem on your hands. In addition, we’ll discuss how to protect yourself from becoming an easy target.
Signs That Your Computer May Be Hacked
If you notice any of the following signs, your computer may have been hacked:
- Unusual or unexplained activity on your computer
- Strange or unexpected pop-up windows
- Unexplained changes to your system settings
- Slow performance or unexpected crashes
Other critical signs that could indicate that your computer has been hacked include:
- Unfamiliar applications, software, and programs: If you see unfamiliar programs running in the background, this is a clear sign that something is wrong and malicious software has been installed on your machine.
- Unusual disk activity: If you notice that your computer is suddenly accessing the hard drive more frequently than usual, it may be a sign that someone is trying to access your data. This concern can become apparent if your computer suddenly starts running slower than usual or programs take longer to load.
- Contacts on your account profiles receive unsolicited messages from you: if your friends and other contacts report receiving unsolicited messages that you did not send, your computer is probably hacked.
- Strange network traffic patterns: If you notice that your computer is suddenly sending or receiving a lot of data than usual, then it may have been compromised. Hackers often create backdoor entries into systems, allowing them to access the system and data remotely.
- Invalid passwords: if suddenly your passwords stop working and become invalid without you initiating the change, a hacker may have compromised your computer. Once you see such unusual activity, it’s important to investigate and take steps to secure your system.
Ways to Prevent Computer Hacks
When you suspect your computer has been hacked, taking action immediately is crucial to protect your data and prevent further damage. Here are several ways you can do this:
- Installing Network Intrusion Detection Systems: A network intrusion detection system (NIDS) monitors a network for suspicious activity and can alert the network administrator regarding possible attacks. These solutions can be used to detect and block a wide variety of attacks, including denial-of-service (DoS) attacks, viruses, worms, and buffer overflows.
- Installing Intrusion Prevention Systems: An Intrusion Prevention System, or IPS, is a computer security software that monitors network traffic and looks for signs of malicious activity. If it detects something suspicious, it can take action to prevent an attack from happening. IPS systems can be used to protect both individual computers and entire networks.
Cybercriminals are ceaselessly seeking new ways to breach the safety measures of your IT infrastructure. Each device that’s connected to the internet is susceptible to hacks. Proactive defense strategies are often used alongside other security measures, such as Firewalls, Multi-Factor Authentication, and antivirus software to limit the threat posed by such malicious actors.
About United Business Systems
United Business Systems specializes in simplifying the complexity and management of office technology solutions for over 7,800 organizations nationwide. Services include Managed Print, Document Management and IT Services. Products include MFPs, Copiers, Printers and Wide Format Printers. UBS’s headquarters is in Fairfield, NJ with branch offices in Moorestown, NJ, Manasquan, NJ and New York.
For the latest industry trends and technology insights visit UBS’ main Blog page.
