5 Signs Your Windows PC Is Infected (and What to Do)

1. Your browser homepage changed

If your browser suddenly opens to a search engine you don't recognize, or is peppered with new toolbars, that's usually a browser hijacker. A full antivirus scan and a browser reset usually clear it.

2. Pop-ups appear even when your browser is closed

Legit websites can't spawn pop-ups when your browser isn't running. This is a hallmark of adware and needs immediate cleanup.

3. PC is randomly slow or the fan is always spinning

Cryptominers are the fastest-growing category of malware in 2026. They hijack your CPU to mine cryptocurrency in the background. Symptom: PC feels sluggish and the fan runs constantly even when idle.

4. Files are missing or renamed

This is often a sign of ransomware. Disconnect from the internet immediately, don't pay any ransom, and run a full scan with a modern antivirus like Huntheal that has a ransomware shield.

5. Friends receive emails you didn't send

Your credentials may have been stolen. Change your email password immediately from a clean device, enable two-factor authentication, and scan the PC you last logged in from.