Browser Changes

• Many of the changes a hacker may make to your computer occur through software that changes your browser settings. By starting a new browser session, it should be easy to note sudden changes, such as added toolbars at the top of the screen or a changed homepage. When you run a search, you may also be directed to advertisement websites rather than the search result you chose. This is a clear sign of a hacked computer being used to direct you to spam.
  
  

Changed Passwords and Settings

• When you log into your account, you may notice a few changes. For one, your password may be different, denying you access to your desktop and leaving you stuck on the "Welcome" screen. If this is the case, you'll need to restart your computer in Safe Mode and access the administrative options to reset your password. Your desktop, pictures and files may also be altered -- from being rearranged to being deleted altogether.
  
  

New Software

• One telltale sign of a hacked computer is the addition of unauthorized software. This can be tricky to locate, since often the virus, spyware and malware software is designed and named to look like a native program. The best way to locate unauthorized software is to generate a list of software using the Add/Remove Programs option in the Control Panel. There, you can locate suspicious programs based on the date you suspect your computer was hacked.
  
  

Sluggish Performance

• The advertisements, software and viruses that a hacker installs on your computer are often made up of massive file sizes, which take up large amounts of memory. The constant popups, advertisements and processes can also make your computer run slower than usual. When your computer was working fine and suddenly begins acting slow, sluggish and unresponsive, you may have been hacked.