What is one common symptom of a computer infected with malware?

A computer infected with malware often exhibits sluggish performance as a typical symptom. This occurs because malware frequently runs in the background, consuming system resources such as CPU and memory. As a result, legitimate applications may struggle to access the necessary resources, leading to slow response times, longer loading periods for programs, and overall decreased efficiency.

While reduced battery life, increased CPU temperature, and shortened screen lifespan can be influenced by various factors, they are not direct or common indicators of a malware infection. Sluggish performance specifically indicates an issue where the computer is unable to process tasks efficiently, making it a hallmark sign of a malware problem. This can disrupt the user's experience significantly and often prompts further investigation into the system's health.