How to know my computer has been hacked

In most cases computer problems do not happen due to computer hacking. Firstly it has to be a virus that gets into your computer and only then it can be hacked. Though it is tough to reach out to the hackers, but whether your computer is been hacked or not can be detected through the most common signs that can be noticed if it has been hacked. These are:

1.New programs get automatically installed

Suddenly you might find new files or programs are appearing in the computer. Though there may be other reasons for new programs to get installed, like, if there are other users, if you have installed a program allowing other peripheral programs to be installed, and if a virus is there in your computer. But programs like trojans and Backdoors are the most common programs which get installed on a computer in most cases if it has been hacked. These programs allow the hackers to get access to the important information that are stored on your computer.

2.Computer passwords get changed

In most of the times, if your computer is hacked, one or more of your online accounts will show that the password you are providing is either not matching or that it has been changed. If you try to go for "forget password" assistance, and it doesn't work, then it is most probably a sign that your computer has been hacked. The chances get more closer, if the same thing happens to your offline passwords, like windows password, your computer login password etc.

3. Spam E-mail
Other than getting access to your bank accounts, the hackers also make use of your email accounts to spread spam mails and shifting the blame on you. So if your accounts show that spam emails are been sent form your email addresses, it is another sign of you being trapped by a hacker. You might also end up receiving bounce back e-mails from unknown email addresses.

4. Increased network usage

The hackers need to remotely connect to your internet network. In that case if you have a bandwidth monitor program installed on the computer, it can help help you know which programs are being using the bandwidth you are subscribed to.

5. Modem users
If you find your computer dialing the Internet on its own, it might be an indication that a program is trying to connect to the Internet without your knowledge. And in that case it can be directly indicative of a hacker trying to do so.

Apart from these there can be even some more signs that is indicative of your computer being hacked.

6) Unknown programs prompting for access
7) Security programs getting uninstalled automatically
8) Computer operating of its own.

So if you find one or more of these things happening, then it is time for you to be concerned and take the necessary precautionary steps.

Your computer will not begin malfunctioning just because it has been hacked. In actuality, it entirely depends on the purpose of hacking. If the hacker wants to hamper with your work, he will device plans to make your computer malfunction. But if he wants to use your confidential information, he may want you to stay unaware of hacking.

Check out for following indications -

1. Unidentified browsers toolbars
You may begin to find some unusual toolbars on your browser. These toolbars can appear to be helpful in nature, but in fact - they are not. If you are sure thst the new toolbars have come from a trusted source, just dump them. If you cannot remove any unwanted toolbar, try resetting your browser to default.

2. Browser redirections
If you experience frequent browser redirections, it is time to get suspicious. If this redirection is to the same site, that's a mkre valid reason for being scared.

3. Check messages being sent from your email
Note if your friends or contacts receive fake or spam mails from your email account. A hacker normally sends emails to the contacts in your email address book. If that happens and a few of your friends report such mail, run a complete scan of your ststem. Look for any malicious programmes and make it a point to remove them.

4. Your paswords change automatically
Check your online passwords. If you notice that they are randomly changed, it is time to worry. Ask for a resolution from the service provider. Such resolutions often get your account back in control within a few minutes.

5. Strange and new software
Look out for new software installed without any intimation. It is advisable to keep checking your installed programs.

6. Computer does certain things on its own
If you observe your computer performing tasks on its own without any need for your intervention. It is a clear indication of your computer being hacked. Check if your mouse moves between the icons and performs the actions on its own, or find such strange behaviour from your keyboard can be a indication.

7. Security applications get uninstalled
Hacker's first aim would be to go unnoticed. So, your firewall, antivirus programs or other such security programs installed on your PC may get uninstalled, or disabled. If you find it happening with your system, stay warned.


These are just a few signs that let out the fact that your computer is hacked.

There are different types of hacks done on the computer. Some of the hacks include taking over specific region within your operating system. Here are the common hacks that happen to the computer.

Malware Hacks For example taking over the registry entries and navigate user to specific website or log the username and password in a file and send to specific server. In such case the hacks are harder to find out. Malware hacks are usually found by only malware detecting software such as "spybot search and destroy" and "malwarebytes antimalware". These hacks focus on your social media passwords or the bank passwords.

How to find out? Check if your mouse or the keyboard shows suspicious activity. Your passwords getting changed.

Master boot record hacks This type of hacks are harder to get over. As the hack includes one worm that stays alongside BIOS interface with HDD. And in order to get rid of this hack you have to format the disk with /mbr format command. Otherwise the worm remains. Such worm is likely to pass your internet information to the specific servers. And it keeps log within your operating system's system folder.

How to find out? If your HDD doesn't allow you to install dual boot operating system. Check if the BIOS menu sometimes doesn't recognize the HDD. Check if the UEFI boot menu cant be enabled.

Bitcoin Hacks Bitcoin being a popular currency online due to it's distributive nature has created issues. Now the hackers are installing the bitcoin agent on your computer. And the idle memory of your computer is used to generate and send the bitcoins to hackers account. Most of the universities and the NGOs servers affect from this sort of hacks. Most of the consumer level computers are not hacked with this worm unless ofcourse consumers download it.

How to find out? Check the task manager on OS. See if any agent process is sending some upstream bandwidth activity.

Network HackThere are many benefit of keeping yourself online and even hackers make use of this feature. Some hackers use your internet to share proxy on your IP without you knowing it. Some hackers share your bandwidth for P2P purpose. And there are many other hacks.

How to find out? Check your bandwidth. Check the outgoing connections. Use firewall to monitor.

Forced Redirection hacks Most of such hacks are meant for forcing users on some specific sites. So they replace the hosts file for specific IP address. And this is one region you have check for hack. The hack in case is browser agnostic and appear on all browser.

How to find out? Check if any browser auto redirects and sends to specific site.

Router Hacks There are some of the spywares such as linkbucks who hack your browser and force shortlinks on the pages. And this hack affects your router and harder to remove. You have to reset the router settings in order to get rid of it. Also you can use openDNS or Google DNS to avoid the hack.

How to find out? Check if your browser redirects to specific shortlink and forces URL on page.

Browser hacks Browser has more chances of infection compared to the desktop itself. For example some of the addons and toolbars if downloaded can make your browser to perform weirdly. And this could include forcing affiliate links inside browser session. Also making autoclosing the tab. Logging passwords for further hacks.

How to find out? Check the extensions page on chrome or addon page on firefox. You can find out if any random addon has been installed.

These are some of the common hacks that you can find on most PCs and Macs. You can get rid of them depending on the level of infection and the spread. Some antivirus work on them but for some infections you have to remove the software from control panel or manually.
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