When a computer starts working slower than it did before, there can be a few different causes. Most of them are not a big problem, and can be fixed easily. But sometimes, the slow down is just a symptom of something far worse. This is what I am going to talk about in this article.
Sometimes a computer can dramatically slow down, even though no new hardware has been added. When this is the case, it can be a symptom of a serious malware infection.
Malware is a word that refers to all the different types of malicious and harmful software that are spread around. This software is designed to hurt you, your computer, or both. Most often, it is actually spread by criminals. Viruses and worms are two types that you may be familiar with, but there are more.
Most often the infection will come about as a result of files that you have downloaded or shared. They can be in the form of .exe files, or they can be hiding in other files that you would not suspect.
These types of infection can be avoided by using common sense and observing safe practices. But there is a different type of malware that can infect computers, one which you cannot avoid because it does not depend on unsafe behaviours to spread. I am referring to the so called drive-by infection. This is an infection spread from a site to your computer automatically, without any action on your part.
Quite often, the website owner is unaware that his or her site is being used to spread malware. It has been infected without his knowledge, and is spreading this infection to its readers automatically.
Once your computer is infected, the malware can get to work, spreading the infection to other computers, damaging your files, and even stealing vital personal information – like banking details, credit card numbers, passwords, etc. It can even use your computer to hack and attack other people, putting you at legal risk!
If I have given you the impression that the Internet is dangerous, I apologise. The truth is that if you play it safe, and look after your computer security, you will be ok. But, if you are not careful, you can become a victim of criminals without even realising it.
To find out more about this and other factors that can lead to slow computer performance, click on my link below.
To find out more about issues that can slow your computer, and also learn about security threats, visit my site “Why is my computer so slow?
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Mon, Aug 30, 2010
Spyware