What indicators can confirm a computer is infected with malware?

Unwanted pop-ups and unexpected system crashes are strong indicators that a computer may be infected with malware. When malware infects a system, it can often manipulate programs to create intrusive advertisements or pop-ups that appear regardless of the websites being visited, indicating the presence of potentially unwanted programs or adware. Additionally, malware can interfere with the normal operation of the system, leading to unexpected crashes or slowdowns as it consumes system resources or clashes with legitimate software. These symptoms are commonly associated with malware infections and serve as warning signs for users to investigate further or seek remediation.

In contrast, faster processing speeds and increased storage may be the result of optimizing the system and are not necessarily indicators of an infection. Up-to-date software and regular backups are proactive measures for security and recovery and reflect good security hygiene rather than signs of infection. Enhanced graphics and audio do not relate to malware presence but rather to the system's capabilities or upgrades, making them irrelevant in confirming an infection.