When a computer slows down, people assume a virus. Sometimes that is right, but a lot more often the machine is just tired. The fix is different, so it is worth knowing which one you have.
It is probably just slow if…
- It has always taken a while to start, and it has got gradually worse over months.
- It is an older machine with a mechanical hard drive rather than an SSD.
- It is slow at everything, not just in the browser.
- The fans run hard and it is hot, especially if it has never been cleaned out.
- You have a long list of programs that start when Windows does.
For these, the usual answer is an SSD upgrade, more memory, a clean-up of start-up programs, and a proper internal clean. It can make an old machine feel new.
It might be infected if…
- You are seeing pop-ups when no browser is open, or constant adverts.
- Your browser’s homepage or search engine keeps changing back.
- There are programs you do not remember installing.
- A message says you have a virus and gives a phone number to ring.
- Accounts are behaving oddly: password reset emails you did not ask for, or messages sent from your account.
About that phone number
A real security warning never asks you to ring a number or pay a stranger. If you see one, close the browser and do not call. If you already let someone onto your computer or gave them card details, ring your bank straight away, then get in touch with us.
What to do now
- Do not log in to your bank or email from the affected computer until it has been checked.
- Change important passwords from a different, clean device.
- Make a copy of your important files if you can.
- Ask for the machine to be looked at properly. We tell you whether it is a clean-up, a speed upgrade or something more, and quote before we start.
Start with slow computer and virus removal.