Zombie computers are difficult to detect as they show similar signs to other problems. Hackers infiltrate computers with virus files to control them, causing slow performance and strange behavior. Checking firewall traffic can help identify zombies, but virus scanners may not detect them if hidden well. Blacklist tools can indicate if a computer is being used for spamming.
Recognizing a zombie computer can be incredibly difficult, because many of the signs can indicate other problems, and most people don’t know they’re using a zombie until it’s too late. A zombie computer is often compromised by virus files, so the computer will often slow down and the computer may behave strangely. By checking firewall traffic, you can see if your computer is visiting places you haven’t visited. Some virus scanners can find a zombie, but most hackers hide the zombie virus in a way that cannot be detected. You can use blacklist tools as well, if you don’t participate in spamming activities.
To create a zombie computer, a hacker infiltrates a computer and adds a virus file that puts the computer under his control. This file and the hacker’s activity often cause the computer to slow down, because the hacker uses up a lot of computer resources. The computer can also behave strangely, with programs opening for no reason and users being constantly redirected to other websites. While these are signs of a zombie problem, they can also be signs of a less serious virus or the result of outdated hardware and software.
One of the best ways to see if you have a zombie computer is to check your firewall, or other programs that report your activity, for outgoing traffic. This will list which websites and places you visit when using the internet and you should see the websites you frequent. If there is a large amount of outgoing traffic going to sites you don’t recognize, then you may have a zombie. Small amounts of unusual outbound traffic may not be indicative of a zombie, but the result of common pop-ups and redirects appearing online.
Virus scanners can sometimes detect a zombie computer, but only if the hacker wasn’t diligent. These programs will look for common signs of viruses and zombie activity, and if they detect a zombie, they may be able to fix it. If the hacker placed the zombie virus file in a rootkit, it is usually untraceable.
When you run a zombie computer, it is likely to be used for spamming and sending large packets of information to other entities to shut them down. This will result in your computer being blacklisted by spammers. By entering your Internet Protocol (IP) address into a blacklisting tool, you may find yourself blacklisted, which can indicate that you have a zombie computer. If you voluntarily engage in spamming, this may not be effective.
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