I use a desktop PC running Windows 7. . It is slow, but I do not like later operating systems. . I use "Stopzilla Anti-Malware" for viruses, etc.
As I said, it is slow to respond, and I have the feeling that the computer is being corrupted ... possibly hijacked.
The "Stopzilla" software is fully up-to-date, as is the OS. . I have a scheduled "Full Scan" done automatically every Thursday and Sunday.
Usually, cmptr is running between the hours of 8am and 11pm. . The last 4 weeks I have been powering cmptr off, when not in use, on non-scan days.
This practice of powering off seems to greatly reduce periods of heavy hard-disk activity, which otherwise are quite noticeable.
My usage activities are a small amount of email (Yahoo.com), this pen-makers forum (Penturners.org), and viewing US News (MSNBC.com). . That's it.
My MSNBC.com activity includes recording just URLs and titles for interesting articles, as short emails (Yahoo.com) to myself (about 20 per day).
Over the past year I have noted the time taken for the twice-weekly "Full Scan" and the number of "elements scanned". . Here is the history:
Scan on Oct28, 2018 ... Time taken = 2 hours 46 mins; Number of elements scanned = 7.01 million
Scan on Feb28, 2019 ... Time taken = 3 hours 26 mins; Number of elements scanned = 8.99 million
Scan on Oct06, 2019 ... Time taken = 6 hours approx; Number of elements scanned = more than 11.31 million
As you can see, there has been a consistent large increase in the time taken for the scans and the number of "elements" scanned.
My question is ... Does this data indicate that there is some "hijacking" taking place ? . If not, what else could be going on ?
As I see things, my cmptr usage is really quite small, and the storage takes place largely on the remote sites of Yahoo.com and Penturners.org.
I would appreciate any comments and suggestions ... PLEASE ! . Bear in mind that I am basically a "computer ignoramus" with low insult tolerance !!
As I said, it is slow to respond, and I have the feeling that the computer is being corrupted ... possibly hijacked.
The "Stopzilla" software is fully up-to-date, as is the OS. . I have a scheduled "Full Scan" done automatically every Thursday and Sunday.
Usually, cmptr is running between the hours of 8am and 11pm. . The last 4 weeks I have been powering cmptr off, when not in use, on non-scan days.
This practice of powering off seems to greatly reduce periods of heavy hard-disk activity, which otherwise are quite noticeable.
My usage activities are a small amount of email (Yahoo.com), this pen-makers forum (Penturners.org), and viewing US News (MSNBC.com). . That's it.
My MSNBC.com activity includes recording just URLs and titles for interesting articles, as short emails (Yahoo.com) to myself (about 20 per day).
Over the past year I have noted the time taken for the twice-weekly "Full Scan" and the number of "elements scanned". . Here is the history:
Scan on Oct28, 2018 ... Time taken = 2 hours 46 mins; Number of elements scanned = 7.01 million
Scan on Feb28, 2019 ... Time taken = 3 hours 26 mins; Number of elements scanned = 8.99 million
Scan on Oct06, 2019 ... Time taken = 6 hours approx; Number of elements scanned = more than 11.31 million
As you can see, there has been a consistent large increase in the time taken for the scans and the number of "elements" scanned.
My question is ... Does this data indicate that there is some "hijacking" taking place ? . If not, what else could be going on ?
As I see things, my cmptr usage is really quite small, and the storage takes place largely on the remote sites of Yahoo.com and Penturners.org.
I would appreciate any comments and suggestions ... PLEASE ! . Bear in mind that I am basically a "computer ignoramus" with low insult tolerance !!