How to Tell If Your Windows Computer Has Been Hacked
By: RebootPoint_employee | Published: November 11, 2023
Photo by Nubelson Fernandes
“How can I tell if my computer has been hacked?” is a typical question among Windows users. Detecting whether or not your computer has been compromised by an unauthorized user or hacker is critical for protecting your digital security. While there is no surefire method for determining whether or not your computer has been hacked, there are various symptoms and indicators to check for. Here are some common red flags that could point to a possible compromise.
Task manager
Most malicious processes and viruses work in the background, where they go unnoticed, making them very harmful. If your computer has any dangerous programs or tasks operating in the background, they may show up in the task manager. Most operating systems have a task manager that allows users to monitor and manage running processes, applications, and system performance. While the task manager gives useful information about the programs operating on your computer, it is not immune to malicious activity.
How to open up Task Manager:
1. Hold down Ctrl + Shift + Esc:
The easiest way to launch Task Manager is to hit Ctrl + Shift + Esc at the same time. This shortcut is compatible with most versions of Windows.
2. Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete:
You may also use the Ctrl + Alt + Delete keyboard shortcut and then pick “Task Manager” from the menu that appears. This strategy is also compatible with the majority of Windows versions.
3. Right-click the Taskbar and select:
Search for Task Manager in the Windows search bar on the taskbar. Press on … to open up the tasks and processes that are running.
Look for suspicious processes: When you see a process that you are unfamiliar with or believe to be suspicious, you may right-click on it and choose “Search online” (if it is accessible). This will start an internet search to find out more details about the procedure. Additionally, you can take note of the process name and look it up on a search engine or specific websites for examining processes.
Established connections
Established connections can provide information about what’s going on with your Windows PC, but they might not necessarily be a clear sign of hacking. Here’s how you can use established connections to check for unusual or suspicious activity:
How to: To display a list of established network connections, use the “netstat” command in the Windows Command Prompt (cmd). Open the Command Prompt with administrative rights by searching for “cmd” or “Command Prompt” in the Windows search bar → right-click on it → choose “Run as administrator“, and type in “netstat /?”. This will display different commands you can use to look for important information.
Examine the list of established connections for any suspicious or unusual entries. Take note of the following points:
IP addresses, both local and public: Look for strange IP addresses, especially if they connect to well-known ports. It is important to keep track of your public ip and to keep it safe as hackers can use public ips to get personal and geographical information out of it.
Ports: Look for strange port numbers, since hackers target several common ports. A common technique that hackers use is port scanning to exploit the weak points in a network.
State: Pay attention to connections in the “ESTABLISHED” state, since these are active connections. If you are not connected to any network but still get multiple “Established” connections this can mean that you are being hacked by being invaded from an unknown network.
Process identifiers (PIDs): Take note of the PIDs assigned to each connection. These PIDs can be cross-referenced with active processes to determine which application or service is responsible for the connection.
Local accounts
Windows lets you set up local user accounts that are unique to the computer you’re using. These accounts are distinct from internet accounts such as Microsoft accounts.
Keep an eye on your computer’s list of local user accounts to verify that only authorized users have access. To see the list, go to “Control Panel” → “User Accounts” → “Manage another account.”
You can also view the list of User Accounts by pressing the “Windows button + R” and entering “netplwiz” in the tab that just opened in the lower left corner
Permissions for Accounts: Examine the rights and privileges attached to each local account. Administrator accounts have more access to the system and can make system-wide changes. Ensure that only trustworthy users have administrator capabilities.
Startup apps
Monitoring startup programs is critical for computer security since odd or unauthorized applications might signal that your Windows PC has been compromised. These startup programs can also bring even more danger by misleading you into downloading malware so that hackers can thoroughly enter your computer.
What Exactly Are Startup Apps? Startup applications are programs and processes that run when your Windows computer boots up. They are intended to deliver functionality and features as soon as you log in. Some of these startup programs
Looking for suspicious startups: Open up Setting → Apps → Startup, which will open up a list of applications. Look for apps and programs with strange names, especially if the publisher information is missing. Look for entries with generic names or random letter and number combinations.
Examine the “Status” column for any items that are marked “Enabled” yet look questionable.
Take note of the “Startup Impact” column, which shows how much an app affects system startup. High-impact programs may cause your computer to slow down.
Getting Rid of Suspicious Startup Apps: You can deactivate or uninstall any suspicious starting programs by right-clicking on the item and selecting the relevant action. Remove programs with caution, since some may be required for your system to work properly. Before using any strange apps, do some research.
Google account ( if you use Chrome and have a Google account )
Maintaining your security requires being able to identify any unusual activity or illegal access on your Windows machine. Keeping an eye on recent device and account activity with your Google account is a useful way to keep an eye on the security of your computer.
Google passwords: If you’re using Google Chrome as your main search browser and use their password manager to store your password then there are a few ways to increase security to your account. Using Google Password Manager will give a relatively safe password for you to use and the Google encryption software is almost impregnable towards hackers and scammers.
Device Activity: Examine the “Security” section for the option labeled “Your devices.” This will provide a list of all devices that have recently accessed your Google account. Examine this list thoroughly and look especially for what devices you have logged in on. You can also view when this device had Google on and where the device is situated.
- Get your Google Account Open:
Enter your Google account details to log in at myaccount.google.com.
- Proceed to Security:
Using the menu on the left, select “Security.”
- See Your Devices:
To access the “Your Devices” section, scroll down. A list of the devices that have accessed your Google account may be found here.
- Go over the device activity:
To view further information about a device’s recent activity, including when it last visited your account and its current status, click on the device in the list.
Additionally, you may verify if Google believes the device to be secure. Should a device bear the mark “Not secure,” it could indicate questionable activities.
Monitor Devices: You can take action if you come across any strange or suspicious-looking devices. If Google detects possible problems, you can lock your Google account or take steps to remove the device’s access to it.
Look Up Recent Security Incidents: Go to the “Recent security events” area and scroll down to see a chronology of your account’s security-related activity. This will enable you to identify any unauthorized or strange activities.
Activate Notifications: Set your Google account in order to receive account security notifications. This will notify you of any unusual behavior, password changes, or attempted sign-ins. This may become a bit annoying if you need to log in a lot as you will get notifications but will prove useful as you will immediately get noticed if anyone has gotten access to your account.
Keep in mind that even while these suggestions might be helpful, they still have limits. Some malware can evade detection by hiding or using real process names. Thus, it’s critical to implement a more comprehensive cybersecurity plan that incorporates strong passwords, frequent system checks, software upgrades, and safe online conduct. It is best to get help from cybersecurity experts or your IT department if you think your computer has been compromised.