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10 Symptoms of a Computer Virus
You don’t need to be a technology expert to know the word “virus” is bad. A virus is a computer program that can copy itself and infect a computer without a user’s permission or knowledge.
So, how do you know if your computer has a virus?
So, how do you know if your computer has a virus?
Shannon McCarty-Caplan, Consumer Security Advocate at Trend Micro,has put together a list of the top 10 symptoms of a computer virus to help you diagnose the problem.
1. Your Desktop Looks Different
Sometimes the signs of a virus are obvious. Have the icons on your desktop been moved around or renamed? Are there icons for programs that you didn’t install? Pay attention to any changes made on your desktop that you didn’t authorize, as they could be the result of a virus.
Sometimes the signs of a virus are obvious. Have the icons on your desktop been moved around or renamed? Are there icons for programs that you didn’t install? Pay attention to any changes made on your desktop that you didn’t authorize, as they could be the result of a virus.
2. Your Homepage Changed
Your homepage is the Internet page that opens up automatically whenever you start your browser (such as Google or Yahoo). If you are noticing that your web browser is displaying a different page, especially if it is one you’ve never heard of, this is a red flag. Before doing anything else, check to be sure you (or anyone else who may have used your computer) didn’t accidently change your browser settings.
Your homepage is the Internet page that opens up automatically whenever you start your browser (such as Google or Yahoo). If you are noticing that your web browser is displaying a different page, especially if it is one you’ve never heard of, this is a red flag. Before doing anything else, check to be sure you (or anyone else who may have used your computer) didn’t accidently change your browser settings.
3. Everything is Sloooooooooow
Is every action on your computer painfully slow? If you notice that starting your computer is taking a long time, programs are taking longer than usual to load, and the internet is moving like a snail, your computer might have a virus.
Is every action on your computer painfully slow? If you notice that starting your computer is taking a long time, programs are taking longer than usual to load, and the internet is moving like a snail, your computer might have a virus.
4. Programs or Files Appear or Disappear Without Your Knowledge
You’re not crazy! You may have in fact saved that file in the right place. However, computer viruses have the power to erase files and make new ones appear without your knowledge. This is why backing up your files is so important. If you notice this is happening on your computer, you may have a virus.
5. The Browser May Not Respond, Close Unexpectedly, or Randomly Redirect
Is your browser acting strange? If your browser starts to freeze or close unexpectedly, this could be a sign of a virus. You may also notice that every few minutes you are suddenly sent to a page you didn’t tell your computer to visit.
You’re not crazy! You may have in fact saved that file in the right place. However, computer viruses have the power to erase files and make new ones appear without your knowledge. This is why backing up your files is so important. If you notice this is happening on your computer, you may have a virus.
5. The Browser May Not Respond, Close Unexpectedly, or Randomly Redirect
Is your browser acting strange? If your browser starts to freeze or close unexpectedly, this could be a sign of a virus. You may also notice that every few minutes you are suddenly sent to a page you didn’t tell your computer to visit.
6. Pop ups, Pop ups, and More Pop ups
An increase in pop ups is generally the most well known symptom of a virus, probably because it is the most annoying. Getting some pop up windows as you browse the Internet is somewhat normal. However, if you are seeing them constantly and they all seem to be for the same websites, then you might have a virus.
An increase in pop ups is generally the most well known symptom of a virus, probably because it is the most annoying. Getting some pop up windows as you browse the Internet is somewhat normal. However, if you are seeing them constantly and they all seem to be for the same websites, then you might have a virus.
7. Bizarre Error Messages
Most people know what a typical error message looks like on their computer and browser. If you start to notice pop-up windows with strange error messages and/or sounds, this is a symptom of a computer virus.
Most people know what a typical error message looks like on their computer and browser. If you start to notice pop-up windows with strange error messages and/or sounds, this is a symptom of a computer virus.
8. Fake Virus Scans
If anything else besides the antivirus software on your computer warns you that you have a virus, be very cautious. Oftentimes websites will use authentic-looking fake virus scans of your computer to make it appear that you are infected with hundreds of bugs. Ignore these scans and perform one of your own to see if you are infected with a real virus.
9. Unexpected Freezing
We’ve all been there: You’re working on a document and then suddenly—nothing. Your computer becomes unresponsive and you mouse is frozen in place. This could be your computer exhibiting symptoms of a virus.
If anything else besides the antivirus software on your computer warns you that you have a virus, be very cautious. Oftentimes websites will use authentic-looking fake virus scans of your computer to make it appear that you are infected with hundreds of bugs. Ignore these scans and perform one of your own to see if you are infected with a real virus.
9. Unexpected Freezing
We’ve all been there: You’re working on a document and then suddenly—nothing. Your computer becomes unresponsive and you mouse is frozen in place. This could be your computer exhibiting symptoms of a virus.
10. Your Contacts Receive Emails From Your Account That You Didn’t Send
It’s not enough to infect your computer; the viruses want to spread the love to your friends as well. Hopefully your contacts will catch these fake emails and give you a heads up that your email is sending links to a virus.
So, what do you do once you have a virus? If you do get infected, Trend Micro offers free tools to clean up your computer and get you back to normal.
Viruses can crash your system, destroy data, and reveal your confidential information. It’s important to be aware of the symptoms and have powerful antivirus software installed so you can be worry free.
It’s not enough to infect your computer; the viruses want to spread the love to your friends as well. Hopefully your contacts will catch these fake emails and give you a heads up that your email is sending links to a virus.
So, what do you do once you have a virus? If you do get infected, Trend Micro offers free tools to clean up your computer and get you back to normal.
Viruses can crash your system, destroy data, and reveal your confidential information. It’s important to be aware of the symptoms and have powerful antivirus software installed so you can be worry free.
Awesome Underground Bicycle Storage System In Tokyo
Tokyo is such a crowded place that even finding a place to park your bicycle can be a daunting task. But leave it to the Japanese to find a genius solution to this growing space problem. The ECO-Cycle Park is an automated bicycle storage system buried 11 meters under the city streets that can hold up to 200 bikes.
Although Japan is one of the world’s leading car manufacturers and its public transportation system is probably the most advanced on the planet, the bicycle is still a very popular means of getting around in the busy traffic. Unfortunately parking spaces are at a premium, and owners are often forced to leave them on the sidewalk where they become obstacles for pedestrians.
To solve this problem, Japanese company Giken Seisakusho, which specializes in tidal and flood protection systems, created ECO-Cycle, a series of five underground storage bicycle storage facilities where owners can safely “park” their bikes in just 8 seconds. The buried cylindrical structures are only seven meters wide, but deep enough to safely store up to 200 two-wheel vehicles each.
Photo: The Yomiuri Shimbun
Bicycle riders have to pay a monthly subscription to gain access to ECO-Cycle, and they are issued a personal card. Whenever they want to park their bikes, all they have to do is position them in front of one of the above-ground booths and swipe their card through a reader. A mechanical arm clamps it in place, the booth door opens and the bike disappears underground. The whole process takes just 8 seconds, and retrieving the vehicle is just as fast. Ever since the solution was implemented in Konan Hoshi No Koen Park, in 2010, illegally parked bicycles have mostly disappeared from the area.
“Steel boards are inserted into the ground to create a cylindrical shape, and the soil inside is then removed. We can do this in only two months,” Shotaro Yano, head of the Giken’s underground development division, says about the advantages of ECO-Cycle. “As soil pressure is evenly distributed (thanks to the cylindrical shape), the parking facility is reasonably earthquake resistant. As a carrier device is placed in the center, the distance the bikes have to be moved is minimized.” The construction of an underground bicycle storage unit costs 150 million yen ($1,5 million). Including those under construction, there are currently 43 ECO-Cycle facilities at 16 locations across Japan.
Photo: Danny Choo
Fact | Regarding Our Solar System
Source: Arcadia Street
Dwarf Planets: Miniature in size, large in number
Source: The Big Blog Theory
After the Pluto “planet or not” debacle a few years back, the celestial mass that had once claimed a spot as the ninth planet in our solar system was reclassified as a dwarf planet. Before planets were classified as dwarf planets, many astronomers attempted to classify every planet they discovered as a main planet. Had that system stuck, students would have well over twenty planets to remember today.
Jupiter’s Vast Ocean Of Hydrogen
Source: NWC
While scientists cannot say with absolute certainly what lies beyond Jupiter’s stormy exterior, they have a pretty good idea of what is within it. Given the nature of the planet’s composition, many scientists speculate that a massive sea of liquid hydrogen covers the entire surface of Jupiter. This hydrogen sea would be nearly 25,000 miles deep and may contain elements so rare that they have not been seen in our solar system since its very formation.
Source: API
The Earth, Resident Of The Sun’s Atmosphere
Source: SOTT
While Earth sits an astronomical distance from the sun, our planet still orbits that almighty star within its own atmosphere. Its heliosphere extends outward from the sun in a conical shape and encompasses the entire solar system and beyond. Evidence of our place within it can be seen when solar winds help create auroras, the shimmering celestial lights that Earth dwellers have enjoyed for centuries.
Source: New Scientist
Venus’ Sulfuric Atmosphere
Source: Wikimedia
Along with having the reputation of being one of the hottest planets in our solar system, Venus is also one of the most dangerous. The entire planet would be extraordinarily hostile to Earth based life forms thanks, in part, to the fact that it has an atmosphere filled with sulfuric acid, which is so corrosive that it can destroy proteins within living human tissue, cause severe burns and formidable spinal cord damage.
Source: Wikimedia
