How To Know If Your Phone Or Computer Is Hacked?

Are you worried that your computer is hacked? With the rise of cybercrime and the increasing sophistication of hackers, it’s a valid concern. 

According to a recent report: Cyber risks top worldwide business concerns in 2022 and cyber perils are the biggest concern for companies globally in 2021. 

But how can you tell if your computer is hacked? In this blog post, we’ll explore the telltale signs of a hacked computer and provide you with tips on how to prevent and respond to hacking attempts. 

From strange pop-ups and slow performance to unexpected account activity and missing files, we’ll cover it all. Get ready to arm yourself with knowledge and protect your digital life!

10 Signs That Your Computer Is Hacked

Hacking & other types of cybercrime activities are normal for most people living in the United States; the United Kingdom; and Canada. Almost every single cybercrime statistic report suggests that 9 out of 10 people living in the West have become a victim of identity fraud and malware/ransomware attacks. 

While the ratio of cybercrimes are increasing every year at an alarming rate: Most people don’t even use a strong password for protection measures. 

Do you want to know if your computer is hacked? Does anyone know your IP Address and stole your identity for malicious activities? If so, check out the following signs to see if your computer is hacked or not.

1. Redirected Internet Searches
2. You’re Getting Malware With Fake Antivirus Messages From Mysterious Emails
3. Strange Software/Applications Are Installed On Your System or Device
4. Firewalls and Task Manager Are Permanently Disabled
5. Someone Changed Your Accounts Email and Password
6. Random Pop-ups Are Appearing on your screen
7. Your Friends and Families Are Getting the Messages Which You Never Send
8. Someone Stole Money From Your Account
9. Your System is Getting Slower(Day by Day)
10. Your Computer & Mobile are Sending Unauthorized/Spam Emails To Unknown People

Redirected Internet Searches

Every time you search for something on the internet, you’ll be redirected to some unknown page. Sometimes hackers totally redirect the searches so we can’t find the results we search for. 

Suppose you search for the Fifa World Cup 2023 on the internet. If your mobile or computer is hacked then your browser might take you to a women’s clothing section page. 

Hackers also hide their redirect links in the Title of their websites to redirect your website traffic to another website to rank on search engines. Therefore be wary of the redirect links and try to use NordVPN for a safe browsing experience.

You’re Getting Malware With Fake Antivirus Messages From Mysterious Emails

Have you ever noticed that every morning your computer and mobile receive thousands of fake antivirus messages? If yes, you might have become a victim of identity theft or someone is continuously tracking your browsing history.

Malicious People always send messages like “Your System is in danger” or “We have found some serious issues in your PC/Mobile” to make you allow the whole system scan. While the scan is finding viruses, Cybercriminals are stealing your credentials and money. 

This happens every day in developed countries because Cyber Security Methods and Tips are uncommon for people who have no IT background. Most of them don’t even know what an Antivirus is? The fact that you’re reading this article is proof that your Computer is hacked. 

So what’s the solution & how to get rid of these fake messages? If you’re a businessman who wants to protect your data & company, visit VPN.com because they provide the best protection & security from cybercrimes.

Strange Softwares/Applications Are Installed On Your System or Device

Every time when you connect to public wifi, Many unknown applications & software automatically install on your PC. Have you ever wondered what’s the reason behind such activities? If so, your computer is hacked.

Most of the unexpected apps automatically installed on your PC are malware and ransomware. These attacks crash your PC and mobile and demand a huge ransom.

And sometimes when you try to delete these applications, they automatically inject all the malware into your system to destroy or steal your data. Now you might be wondering if we can’t open or delete these apps then what should we do? 

Simply put: NordVPN’s free trial protects your device from hackers and suspicious app behavior.

FireWalls And Task Manager Are Permanently Disabled

Most hackers disable firewalls, task managers, and other security settings immediately after your computer is hacked. They can easily use your personal or network information to uncover your vulnerability and blackmail you for a lot of money.

Firewalls safeguard you and your system from illegal access, while task managers are used to close broken tasks. Imagine your computer is hacked and your task manager isn’t working. This can become a nightmare for you.

Someone Changed Your Accounts Email And Password

Do you ever think why Cyber Security Professionals suggest you to never save your passwords on your browser? It’s because “THEY ARE NOT SAFE.” We always try to educate our customers that their immature or weak passwords can become their biggest vulnerability if your computer is hacked..

The hackers can easily change the email and password of all your social media accounts unless you’re using a 2FA. Artificial Intelligence can easily guess the Random Passwords and they’re not as secure as they were in the past. We’d advise you to use a strong password which isn’t related to you or your daily life so no one other than you can guess that password.

Random Pop-ups Are Appearing On Your Screen

No matter whether you’re browsing or not, random Pop-ups are appearing on your screen continuously. And when you try to close these pop-ups they reappear on the screen again and again.

These Pop-ups mostly appear when someone has access to your IP Address which is also a big sign that your computer is hacked.

We recommend you to use NordVPN or ExpressVPN to change your IP Address and browse the internet anonymously. These VPNs are one of the most secure and easy to use.

Your Friends And Families Are Getting The Messages Which You Never Send

This is a tactic that most hackers use when your computer is hacked. They ask for money from your friends and family members. And, when they refuse to give money, these hackers abuse and report them while using your identity. 

Search cybersecurity statistics reports of well-known Cyber Security Teams & VPN Service Providers to see how these cyber criminals act. If you see such types of messages in your computer or phone then use the Professional NordVPN subscription to opt for ultimate protection.

Someone Stole Money From Your Account

Most hackers target computers and phones to steal money from online wallets and bank accounts. They can simply obtain your account information for fraudulent freelance payments. Imagine someone hacked your computer and used your card details to pay Upwork and Fiverr freelancers.

They can also use your money to purchase a vast amount of drugs and weapons. Therefore be wary of your card payments and don’t save your account details in any of your devices.

Your System Is Getting Slower(Day by Day)

If your mobile or computer is getting slow for no reason, you might have become a victim of a cyberattack. Multiple tabs open in the background or a large file (GBs) download can slow down your PC or mobile and infect it with ransomware.

Try the premium services of VPN.com which protects your computer from cyberattacks and speeds up your internet browsing speed.

Computer & Mobile Are Sending Unauthorized/Spam Emails To Unknown People

Most hackers hack your computer or mobile to send spam or unauthorized emails to the people they want to hack or blackmail because they can’t use their own system for crimes.

The purpose of these spam emails is to infect each and every person’s computer or mobile with malware and ransomware. 

These emails play an important role in hijacking a whole company and organizations because most employees don’t have basic cyber security education and training. They even ignore the orders of not opening any spam or unauthorized email.

What To Do After Getting Hacked? Tips To Prevent Hacking & Other Cybercrime Activities

• You must Update your operating system software to get the latest security updates and fixes. Hackers use obsolete software vulnerabilities to access your computer or phone. 
• We suggest you use strong and unique passwords for each account which has at least eight characters and includes uppercase and lowercase letters; numbers; and special characters. Instead of “password123,” use “P@ssw0rd!23.“ This makes hacking your password tougher.
• Changing passwords often can decrease the danger of someone gaining access to your accounts if they get your old password. 
• You must avoid clicking on strange links or reading emails from unfamiliar senders. Suppose you receive an email from your bank but the sender’s email address appears suspicious: Don’t click on any links or input any personal information.
• Firewals stop unauthorized traffic to prevent hackers from accessing your device if it doesn’t fit your security requirements.
• Antivirus software protects your computer or mobile device from viruses, worms, Trojans, and other malware that could damage or steal data.
• Multi Factor Authentication is a security mechanism that verifies a user’s identity using multiple methods before giving access to an account or system. You can use a password/fingerprint or security token to add another layer of security to your accounts so hackers can’t access your password.
• Unsecured public Wi-Fi networks let anyone on the network intercept your data. Protect your private Wi-Fi network. Use a VPN to protect your online banking and avoid public Wi-Fi.

Conclusion!

You have to understand the signs of a hacked computer or mobile device to take crucial steps in protecting your digital life. 

Some common signs that your computer is hacked include strange pop-ups; slow performance; unexpected account activity; and missing files. 

If you suspect that your computer is hacked, it’s important to act quickly to minimize the damage and prevent further hacking attempts. 

You can protect your computer or mobile device from being hacked by keeping your operating system software up to date with strong passwords, firewalls, VPN, and multi-factor authentication.