You suspect your PC is infected. What should you do?
Latest update: July 25, 2024
ID: 15403
Show applications and versions that this article concerns
- Kaspersky Standard, Plus, Premium
- Kaspersky Security Cloud
- Kaspersky Internet Security
- Kaspersky Anti-Virus
- Kaspersky Total Security
- Kaspersky Small Office Security
Issue
- Unknown applications, folders, or icons appear on your PC.
- Pop-ups appear repeatedly with interface similar to anti-virus software or Microsoft support notifications. You can see warning messages about viruses, vulnerabilities, and system problems inside those windows. The warning windows occasionally show a telephone number to contact for resolving the issue.
- The PC is working slower than usual.
- The mouse pointer moves independently, browser or other application windows open by themselves.
- You receive a lot of spam, often with threats: your computer has been hacked, personal data or browsing history has been copied. You are asked to pay ransom in bitcoins to prevent the data from being published.
Solution
Enable detection of legitimate applications which can be used by cybercriminals
For Kaspersky Standard, Plus, Premium
- Click
in the lower-left corner of the main window of a Kaspersky application. Select Security settings.
If you’re not sure how to open the main application window, see the instructions.
- Select Exclusions and actions on object detection.
- Select the Detect legitimate apps that intruders can use to damage your computer or personal data check box.
- Click Save.
- Click Confirm.
For Kaspersky Security Cloud, Kaspersky Internet Security, Kaspersky Anti-Virus, Kaspersky Total Security, Kaspersky Small Office Security
- Click in the lower-right corner of the main window in a Kaspersky application. If you’re not sure how to open the main application window, see the instructions.
- Go to Threats and Exclusions.
- Select the check box Detect other software that can be used by intruders to damage your computer or personal data.
- Click Continue.
- Click Save.
Upon enabling riskware detection, we recommend that you do the following:
- Update databases. Use the instructions for your application:
- Run a full scan of your computer. Use the instructions for your application:
Get rid of spam
- Check if your email address has been leaked using a special website.
- If the check shows that your email address got involved in a data leakage, change your password. If you used this password on other websites, change your passwords on those websites as well.
- Delete all emails that contain spam.
What to do if the issue persists
If the issue persists, contact Kaspersky Customer Service. Include a report from the Get System Info utility into your request and attach screenshots of every object you find suspicious.