I've got a 1.5 to 2-year-old laptop that I think might be having issues. It was in sleep mode, and now charging seems super slow—only 5% in an hour. I'm worried that I could have unwittinglydownloaded a virus or malware. I ran a Malwarebytes scan, which found a potential threat (PUP.Optional.Booking) that I quarantined, but I'm still uneasy. Just yesterday, an app on my phone made me verify my Gmail account, and I got a strange email with a link that led to a blank page. I deleted the email and the tab, but now I'm not sure if I'm too late and if this is related to my laptop issues. Any advice on what I should do?
2 Answers
I’d recommend changing your passwords for any critical accounts, especially since that email looked sketchy. Make sure to enable two-factor authentication wherever possible for extra security. It might be worth doing a full factory reset on your laptop if things don't improve after checks. Also, consider reinstalling important software to make sure nothing is hiding.
First off, slow charging could be due to several reasons—not just malware. Check if your charger is the right wattage for your laptop model; underpowering can slow down charging significantly. If you're using a USB charger, ensure it's compatible with your device. Also, make sure there’s no debris in the charging port and that the cable isn't damaged. As for the malware scare, even though Malwarebytes didn't find anything, you could try another antivirus for a second opinion. It's good that you quarantined that weird file; just keep an eye on things for now and avoid downloading anything suspicious until you're sure your system is clean.
Definitely check that charger! Sometimes a non-stock charger doesn't supply enough power. And yeah, running multiple scans can catch stuff that one might miss.
Thanks, I'll definitely be safe with my passwords. Factory reset sounds like a last resort, but I'll keep that in mind if I notice more weird stuff.