Is Your Computer Acting Strange?

A Simple Guide for Seniors to Spot Malware.

If your computer has ever started acting “funny” and you weren’t sure why, you’re not alone. Many seniors tell me, “I thought I broke something!” — but in most cases, the computer is reacting to something called malware.

Malware isn’t a real bug, but it behaves like one: sneaky, annoying, and disruptive. The good news is that you can learn to spot the signs early and take simple steps to protect yourself.

How to Tell When Something’s Wrong

The easiest way to think about malware is this:

Your computer starts doing things you didn’t ask it to do.

Here are the most common signs seniors notice:

Pop ups appear out of nowhere — especially ones shouting “Your computer is infected!”
Your internet homepage suddenly looks different or unfamiliar
New toolbars or strange icons appear at the top of your browser
Your computer becomes slow, freezes, or makes unusual noises
You type in a website (like google.com) but get taken somewhere else
Programs you never installed suddenly show up
Your laptop gets warm or the battery drains quickly
Friends tell you they got emails from you that you didn’t send
Security warnings appear that don’t look like the usual Windows messages

A simple rule of thumb: If two or more strange things happen at once, it’s time for a malware check.

What To Do If You Suspect Malware

The most important thing is don’t panic. Scammers rely on fear to trick people into clicking or calling.
Here’s a calm, step by step plan:

1. Don’t click anything

Especially don’t call any phone number shown in a pop up.
Those numbers go straight to scammers.

2. Close your browser

If the pop up won’t close:

This safely shuts down the scam window.

3. Run a Quick Scan with Microsoft Defender

This tool is built into Windows — no downloads needed.

If it finds anything, follow the instructions on the screen.

4. Optional: Run a second scan

Two excellent, senior friendly tools:

Click Scan, then Quarantine or Remove.

5. Restart your computer

This helps finish the cleanup.

6. Check your browser

After restarting:

Remove anything you don’t recognize.

7. If you’re unsure, ask for help

Reach out to:

Never call a number from a pop-up.

A Final Word of Encouragement

You don’t need to be “tech savvy” to stay safe online. You just need to know what to look for and what to do next.

If your computer starts acting strange, close the window. Run a scan. Call someone you trust.

You’ve got this — and you’re not alone.

When your computer gets malware, it can feel scary; you are not sure whether to trust if it’s real or not! You need to feel safe and secure when you are using your computer, not be surprised by pop-ups that claim Microsoft Windows tech support is standing by to fix your computer!

If you are not sure what to do, I can help you distinguish the real from the scam. A phone call to me is all it takes. An annual one-hour fee covers you for a year of phone advice from an expert who can help you.

I work with “Vintage Adults” to make your computers safe and easier to use. Contact an expert for remote support, printer setup, simple-to-understand computer training, phone advice service, and computer security protection. Thank you for trusting me to keep your computers healthy. Call Linda at 239-567-0104 or text 949-874-3233. Be well.

Linda Lindquist, May 29, 2026

https://www.computerandinternethelp.com/contact-us 