What to Do When Your Computer Starts Acting Weird

Ever been on your computer when it acted strangely? Perhaps it slowed down, pop-ups began materializing out of nowhere, or it simply crashed for no good reason. When your system behaves bizarrely, you’ve got a problem, and we don’t just mean a transient annoyance, like a loquacious friend who just can’t seem to take a hint. It might signal a deeper problem, like an infection. The faster you act, the less damage your files, data, and system will incur. Here’s how to address your desktop or laptop’s system issues, and why removing malware should be atop your list.

Step 1: Don’t Panic — but Don’t Shrug It Off, Either

Our first task is to keep still and see. Look at exactly what is occurring. Is your computer a little slower than before? Are strange websites being loaded for you? Are there strange messages or programs that you don’t recognize? Describing the weird behavior can help determine the cause more easily, either by yourself or a professional.

Step 2: Disconnect your computer from the internet

If you believe your computer is infected, being offline can help to contain the malware from communicating with other victims/servers. Unplug the Ethernet cable or turn off the Wi-Fi. This process will help minimize the harm as you troubleshoot.

Step 3: Reboot into Safe Mode

Entering Safe Mode for your computer will run basic software and services. This can help to diagnose the issue and stop malware from running. On Windows, you can restart and press F8 (or Shift + Restart on newer versions) to enter Safe Mode. For a Mac, restart and hold the Shift key. Debugging in Safe Mode can help identify and remove malware and other potentially unwanted software.

Step 4: Scan for Malware

Malware may often be behind odd computer behavior. This may come as viruses, spyware, ransomware, or any other malware. If you don’t have one already, install a good antivirus or anti-malware program. Some good choices might be Malwarebytes, Bitdefender, or Norton.

Perform a full-system scan and listen to the software’s advice for getting rid of malware. Ensure your antivirus definitions are updated before initiating the scan, as malware is always developing. The sooner you remove malware, the less time it has to corrupt your disk and steal your data.

Step 5: Review Programs and Extensions Installed on Your System

After scanning your system, review your installed programs and browser extensions. Search for anything you don’t recognize, or didn’t consciously install. Some strains of malware piggyback on free software or lurk in browser add-ons.

Remove anything suspicious. Just avoid removing any system files or apps you don’t recognize—if you’re not sure, a quick Google search should help you figure out whether a program is trustworthy.

Step 6: Wipe Your Cache and Temporary Files

Mismatched temp files or browser caches can occasionally manifest as odd behavior. Leverage tools like Disk Cleanup on Windows or a maintenance app such as Cleaner that will remove temporary files, system logs, and browser data. This can not only stop resource hogging but also and erase all files created by any malware that made it past your real-time protection layer.

Step 7: Update Everything

Your algorithms and viruses often come in through obsolete software, especially your operating system and web browser. Once you’ve cleaned your system, make sure it’s all up to date. Turn on auto-updates where available to stay updated.

Step 8: Back Up Your Data

If you haven’t already backed up your files, now might be a good time. Back up to an external hard drive or secure cloud service. And if your machine is infected again, or if malware makes your system unrecoverable, having a backup means you won’t lose all your important documents, photos, or work files.

Step 9: To Professional Or Not To Professional

If you’ve tried these and your computer is still not working properly, it might be time to contact a professional. Through more advanced diagnostics and validations, a skilled technician can determine if all malware has been removed.

Final Thoughts

When your computer behaves abnormally, there is frequently a reason that should not be overlooked. Whether it is simply time-lapse issues or more serious security threats, you may encounter more than a simple glitch. By acting fast and giving preference to increasing malware processes can save the day, and help you avoid problems in the future. Keep your system clean, stay safe, and always have backups and trustworthy security software installed.