Downloading movies, shows, music, and games from illegal websites. Downloading content from P2P or file-sharing websites. Using suspicious removable storage devices, like external hard drives. Clicking links on emails sent by phishing scammers. Clicking on ads placed by spammers on certain websites. Clicking links on pop-ups on certain websites.
Your device starts behaving in an unusual manner. Your device slows down, starts crashing, or displays error messages. Your device won’t shut down or restart. Your device won’t allow you to delete certain files and software. Your device is inundated with sudden pop-ups and inappropriate ads. Your device shows inappropriate ads on otherwise reliable websites, like government sites. Your browser or desktop displays new and strange toolbars or icons. Your browser defaults to a different homepage or search engine than usual. Your browser’s homepage keeps changing. Your system sends emails you haven’t written to various people. Your system crashes or runs out of battery faster than usual.
Don’t install software from developers that you don’t trust completely. Download reliable software directly from the source. If your browser warns you against a particular website, it’s best to heed that warning. Don’t click on links received in emails — enter the website URL directly in your browser. Don’t click on ads and pop-ups on your browser or computer. Thoroughly scan external drives before using them on your computer.
