Symptoms of Virus Infection
Delhi Police Exam
1. What Are Symptoms of a Virus Infection?
A computer virus infection is not always visible immediately, but certain behaviors or system changes indicate that your device may be compromised.
Exam Focus: Knowing these symptoms can help you answer Delhi Police computer awareness questions quickly.
2. Common Symptoms of Virus Infection
Slow Computer Performance
- Programs take longer to open or run
- Booting up the system is delayed
Exam Trick: If your PC feels lazy, a virus may be busy!
Frequent System Crashes
- Sudden blue screen of death (BSOD) or system restarts
- Unexpected program shutdowns
Pop-ups & Unwanted Ads
- Random pop-up windows appear without clicking anything
- Can be caused by adware or spyware viruses
Missing or Corrupted Files
- Files get deleted, renamed, or become inaccessible
- Some viruses encrypt files like ransomware
Unusual Hard Drive Activity
- Hard drive LED blinks even when idle
- Disk usage spikes without running any applications
Unknown Programs Launching
- Programs you never installed run automatically
- Could be Trojan or worm activity
Network Slowdowns
- Internet speed decreases without reason
- Can indicate malware sending/receiving data
Security Program Disabled
- Antivirus or firewall stops working unexpectedly
- Virus might try to bypass detection
3. Quick Prevention Tips
Keep antivirus updated and run regular scans
Avoid clicking unknown email links or downloading suspicious files
Use a firewall to monitor network activity
Backup important files frequently
Avoid using untrusted USB drives
4. Practice Questions (Delhi Police PYQ Style)
Which of the following is a common symptom of virus infection?
Options: (a) Slow computer performance (b) Smooth internet browsing (c) Faster system boot (d) Increased battery life
View Answer
Slow computer performance
Random pop-up ads appearing on your screen may indicate:
Options: (a) Macro virus (b) Adware/Spyware (c) Boot sector virus (d) Ransomware
View Answer
Adware/Spyware
If files on your system suddenly become inaccessible, the likely cause is:
Options: (a) Worm (b) Ransomware (c) Trojan (d) All of the above
View Answer
Ransomware
Unexpected shutdowns and blue screens may be caused by:
Options: (a) Malware infection (b) Proper system maintenance (c) Updated antivirus (d) Normal usage
View Answer
Malware infection
Which symptom suggests network activity by a virus?
Options: (a) Internet slowdown (b) Increased storage (c) Keyboard malfunction (d) Screen flickering
View Answer
Internet slowdown
Short Answer Task
Question:
Write 5 common symptoms of a virus infection in 50 words or less and mention one preventive measure for each.
Sample Answer:
Slow performance (use antivirus), frequent crashes (update system), pop-up ads (avoid suspicious downloads), missing files (regular backups), network slowdowns (use firewall). These symptoms indicate virus infection and can be prevented with proper security measures and cautious online behavior.
5. Quick Recap / Memory Tricks
| Symptom | Trick to Remember |
|---|---|
| Slow Performance | "Lazy PC = Virus busy" |
| Frequent Crashes | "BSOD warns you" |
| Pop-ups | "Ads attack" |
| Missing/Corrupted Files | "Files gone or locked" |
| Unknown Programs | "Stranger apps running" |
| Network Slowdown | "Virus steals bandwidth" |
| Disabled Security | "Antivirus asleep" |
Exam Tip: In Delhi Police exams, questions often ask symptoms + prevention — spotting these 1–2 marks questions is easy if you memorize the table above.
You've completed Virus Symptoms!
Courage Tip: Recognizing virus symptoms early can prevent major damage to your computer. Remember that slow performance, frequent crashes, pop-ups, and file issues are common indicators. Always keep your antivirus updated, avoid suspicious downloads, and maintain regular backups. These preventive measures are not only good practice but also frequently tested in Delhi Police computer awareness sections.
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