Malware doesn’t always announce itself with flashing warnings — in fact, the most dangerous infections are often silent. Whether it’s slowing down your system, spying on your activity, or stealing your passwords in the background, it’s important to recognize the early warning signs. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) advises users to act quickly at the first sign of trouble to limit damage.

Common Signs of Infection:

• Sudden Slowness or Freezing
  If your device is much slower than usual or crashes frequently, malware could be consuming resources.

• Unexpected Pop-Ups or Redirects
  Ads or fake alerts that appear without warning are often the result of adware or browser hijackers.

• Unauthorized App Installations
  Apps you didn’t install yourself may be malware disguised as legitimate tools.

• Browser Homepage Changes
  If your search engine or homepage keeps resetting, you may have a hijacker installed.

• Battery Drain or Overheating
  Mobile malware often runs silently in the background, draining battery and data.
  
  

How SurfSafe Helps:
SurfSafe helps you avoid infection in the first place by blocking known malware sites, fake download buttons, and scam pop-up alerts. It catches the sources of infection before they reach your device — so you can focus on browsing safely instead of diagnosing damage.

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