As we all are connected to internet everywhere, there would be always some cyber criminals that want to take advantage of us. Hackers penetrate your devices, they take full control of them, and infect them by malware. Computers, phones, routers, and webcam are vulnerable to cyber criminals; so knowing the signs that your gadget is hacked is necessary. In order to be aware of hackers and protect yourself, try to improve your cyber security. Here are top signs that you’ve been hacked. Let’s go to it.
1. Your gadget suddenly restart
Automatic restarts are normal but sudden restarts are a different story. In the case of automatic restarts, your gadget asks for your permission and you can accept or postpone it. For example when you install new apps or software updates your gadget will warn you about restarting. But sudden restarts are something different that shows something is wrong. If your device shuts down or restarts while you are at the middle of an activity, then you should know that you’ve been hacked. There’s a free malware detection with Windows 10 called Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool.
2. Frequent random browser pop-ups
This is a very common sign that you’ve been hacked. This popular sign of exploitation is one of the more annoying ones. There are many websites that, for some reason, can easily bypass ad-blockers and show unwanted pop-ups. When you’re getting random browser pop-ups from websites you regularly visit, you should be worried.
3. Unexpected software installs
You have been hacked if software installs automatically without your consent and permission. We recommend you to install Autoruns for your windows. It doesn’t show you every program installed but will tell you the ones that automatically start themselves when your PC is restarted.
4. Randomly-Moving mouse pointer
Regarding to hardware problems, your mouse pointer may move randomly. But when it moves and it makes correct choices, then you are a victim of a hacker. Hackers would wait for the computer to become inactive and while you’re asleep, they can use your computer to do whatever they want. It’s a very dangerous threat.
5. Your friends receive social media messages that you didn’t send
The hacker sends messages to all of your fried by using your account. Actually he/she sends a link which instantly install a malicious file or it opens a malicious site.
6. Unwanted browser toolbars
Your browser suddenly shows toolbars you don’t recognize and clearly didn’t install. Unwanted toolbars can be so annoying and is a common sign that you’ve been hacked. Additionally it can open windows without your permission and be a door for other malicious files. It’s time to be worry about a hacker, unless you recognize your toolbar relates to a recently-installed software from a well-known source.
Have this ever happened to you? If so, it’s time to get rid of these annoying toolbars. Most browsers allow you to review installed and active toolbars. You can remove the ones you don’t want to install. If the bogus toolbar isn’t listed there or you can’t easily remove it, check if your browser has an option to reset the browser back to its default settings.
7. Your online passwords isn’t working
At first note that disabling the login form can also be that the site is dealing with temporary technical problems. But if you know for sure that your current passwords isn’t working, then you should be aware that someone has stolen your details and changed the password. If the compromised logon information is used on other websites, be careful and immediately change those passwords and make your account much harder to steal.
8. Missing money in your bank account
lots of money! Hackers can log on to your account, change your contact information, and transfer all of your funds to a different account or make purchases on a website. Missing money doesn’t necessarily mean that your device or bank account has been hacked; for example you may entered your credit card information on a malicious website. But for more security you can find out the problem by phishing emails.
9. Disabled Task Manger and antivirus protection
If you noticed that your antivirus has suddenly stopped working and you can’t open Task Manager, it’s a crystal-clear sign that a hacker is controlling your computer. As a solution for this problem you can try running Autoruns (as mentioned before) or Process Explorer to find out the program which causes the problems. They will identify your malicious program, then you can uninstall or delete.
10. Auto redirect to unwanted websites
Hackers redirect your browser somewhere other than you want to go. You can test it by searching for a very common term and clicking on the first URL to appear. Then, see whether the same website appears in the result. If you’re being taken to a completely different site, you can be sure that your system is infected. Usually removing the bogus toolbars and programs is enough to get rid of malicious redirection.
