Tech & Innovation in Healthcare

When you catch a cold, you just feel off and move more slowly. That’s exactly how a computer reacts when it’s been hit with a virus, too. In fact, the machine often mimics a human illness.

Hint: If your laptop is running like you’re still on dial-up, you may be the victim of a malware attack. Take a look at these nine common malware symptoms that suggest your computer has been infected with a virus.

1. Your computer slows down and has trouble loading up.
2. Pop-ups abound, and you can’t seem to get rid of them.
3. Workflow comes to a halt because your computer crashes so often.
4. Your hard drive either runs out of space or acts of its own accord.
5. Surprise! New passwords, browsers, and links suddenly appear.
6. Unwarranted network activity happens with no explanation.
7. Your computer just shuts down for no reason.
8. Message overload — your peers, patients, and friends get odd e-mails from you.
9. Your antivirus software just doesn’t work anymore and not because it needs an upgrade.

Tip: If you are experiencing one or more of these activities on your practice digital devices, contact your health IT manager or software vendor ASAP.