You already know that online privacy is a thing of the past. Yes, there are things you can do to remove your information from the web and stop companies from tracking you.
But what if the culprit is someone you know? I hear all the time from people who suspect that someone knows a little too much for very sinister reasons. Here, every copy you make on your PC or Mac is collected and checked to see who it’s being sent to.
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1. Check your task manager or activity monitor.
That doesn’t mean someone is logging into your computer every day, but it’s certainly possible. Perhaps that person has implanted malware that does all the work behind the scenes. It could be a hacker, a jealous ex-lover, a relative, or even your boss.
Malware comes in many forms, each of which behaves slightly differently. Some are hard to miss, like ransomware, while others are less obvious.
Participants use laptop computers to participate in the SECCON 2017 finals held in Tokyo on February 18, 2018. (Photo provided by Tomohiro Osumi/Getty Images)
Spyware is subtle. It is hidden within your system and tracks every password you enter, every video call you make, and every email you send. The good news is that even sneaky software can leave breadcrumbs.
The first stop is where you get an overview of everything that’s happening on your machine.
For Windows PCs:
- Press to open Task Manager Ctrl + Shift + Esc.[プロセス]Below the tabs, you’ll see apps and background processes running on your PC.
- Please look through the list. If you see a name you don’t recognize, search online and see what comes up. In some cases, these programs and background processes are legitimate and you don’t need to worry about them, even if you don’t recognize them at first glance.
- To end an app or process, right-click and Finishing the task.
For Mac:
- To open Activity Monitor, press: command + spacebar Click to open Spotlight Search.
- type activity monitor and press input. Check the list for anything you don’t recognize.
- To end a program or process, double-click it and click stop.
2. Spot the red flags that something is going on.
Are there any obvious signs of malware infection? The process will start automatically. Don’t ignore it if the app suddenly starts.
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Suppose you only have two apps open when your computer starts. If another window appears briefly and then disappears, a spyware program may be loaded. They are designed to disappear.
Always monitor what happens when your computer starts up to see if anything strange is happening.

In this illustrated photo taken on August 17, 2021 in Krakow, Poland, a hand is seen on a keyboard with a binary code displayed on a laptop screen. (Photo by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto, Getty Images)
How to check or change startup apps on your PC:
- click Start menu.
- select Settings (gear icon) and click app.
- In the menu on the left, to start It’s at the bottom.
[スタートアップ]The panel displays the apps installed on your machine. If Windows measures the app’s impact on your PC, you’ll see a rating next to it. Options include “No Impact,” “Low Impact,” “Moderate Impact,” and “High Impact.”
High-impact apps may experience slow startup times. Check the list to identify apps that you don’t need immediately after startup. Toggle the slider next to each app to turn it on or off.
How to change startup apps on Mac:
- Please click apple menuafter that System preferences.
- click users and groups.
- please choose user accountClick , then Login items It’s on the top right.
Here you will see a list of applications that open automatically when you log in.
To prevent an app from running automatically, Delete login items. Then select the name of the app you want to block, remove Click the button below the list.
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You can use checkboxes to hide items you want to launch. Press the plus sign below the list to add a new item on your computer.

This illustrated photo taken on August 17, 2021 in Krakow, Poland, shows a person dressed as an internet hacker displaying binary code on a laptop screen. (Photo by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto, Getty Images)
3. Stay up to date
Updates appear at busy times, so you may not want to deal with bugs or other issues caused by the latest versions of Windows or macOS. Still, keeping your system up to date is one of the best ways to deal with the constant flood of junk trying to get into your computer. Just do it.
To update your PC:
- click Start menu and open setting.
- click Updates and security > Windows updates.
Displays whether updates are available for download. If an update is available, click Download and Install. If you don’t see any available updates, Check for updates Force the process to run.
To update your Mac:
- click apple icon From the menu bar at the top of the screen.
- strike System preferences > Software updates.
From here, you can also enable automatic updates by checking the box at the bottom of the window.Click for more options advanced.
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Plus, we’ll give you a TikTok tip that pros warn is a plant’s worst nightmare. Andrew has a wild story about being scammed on a dating app. It’s cold outside, so here are some tips to use technology to stay warm. And as usual, letters from listeners. You won’t believe that a man called me.
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