Updated: Tuesday, 24 September 2019
Ever wondered if you’ve been hacked? It’s a scary thought. Hackers are clever, and quick, and sneaky – and they’re there to steal your data or your money. Sometimes hackers will leave a trail of destruction, but more often than not you won’t even know they were there. We wanted to go through four key signs that you have been hacked in the hopes that it helps you to get more data conscious.
Need protection against the threat of hackers in your business? Work with us at Connected Platforms. Our managed IT services can help you maintain the right level of security in your business and with the help of business continuity management coupled with a robust IT disaster recovery plan, your business can be well prepared for most contingencies. Call us at 1300 866 096 or contact us online today to get started.
1. Your devices are slower
This is a common side effect of a hacked device. You might suddenly (or gradually) notice that your device is starting to slow down, or even freeze. If you start to see that your computer is glitching out or freezing up, then you might be infected with a virus.
The reason for this is because when you have malicious software unknowingly installed on your computer, you can find that it runs silently in the background, eating up your resources. You can get around this with data security and with antivirus software – and at Connected Platforms we can help you to install and maintain the systems you need to stay safe.
2. You are using a lot of data
When your data use starts spiralling out of control it might be a sign that something is up. Take note of your internet usage through your internet service provider. If you notice a spike around a certain time in your data activity – even though you haven’t changed anything about how you operate – then chances are you may be infected with a virus or some kind of malware.
This is sometimes because an infected computer or device will click on links in the background of your usage to generate traffic for the perpetrator.
3. Webpages take a long time to load
If your device is spending a long time ‘thinking’ or if your usual pages are suddenly taking a whole lot longer to load, this might be a sign that you are infected with something. It’s not a definitive sign – because after all, slow load time might be something that you’re dealing with due to internet use, or due to lots of people using your connection at once.
But if this is happening consistently and at all hours of the day and night, you might be suffering from WiFi theft or DNS hijacking. We can help secure your router and ensure that your business is safe from WiFi to backups.
4. Programs are crashing
This is a pretty straight up sign that your business has been infected with some kind of virus or malware. If your programs – especially your antivirus software or task manager – are crashing or disabled, then it’s a sign that your computer or device is likely infected with a malicious program.
The effect of this can be far reaching, or it might just be something minor; in the worst cases, you will find your files are being held for ransom, and you have to make a payment to get them unlocked.
Contact Connected Platforms today
Struggling with any of these issues on your computers? It might be time to give us a call. We have seen it all when it comes to keeping your computer, devices, and systems safe. We understand what it takes to secure your business and can advise you in the best ways to manage your precious information. If you are looking to get on the front foot when it comes to your computer security, we can help you with disaster recovery and managed IT services.
Call us today on 1300 866 096 or contact us online for advice and help.
