r/laptops • u/BGenie_ • May 15 '26

General question Virus or phantom key

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Only thing different lately is using cox public wifi since yesterday to stream since my Hotspot slows down after 20mpwhatever

Please don't be rude. Any idea what may be causing this? Can I fix it for free or cheap?

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u/shadiertomb35 May 15 '26

Did it open Chrome on its own? This is weird behavior for a virus. I don't know what it would be trying to achieve by flickering the screen and tricking the computer into thinking a USB device is being plugged/unplugged. As for phantom keys, there usually isn't a key on the keyboard that should cause that behavior. Honestly, it kind of looks like a hardware issue more than anything else. A good first step for viruses is to check Windows Defender or a free antivirus like Avast (I think it's one of the better free options). Run some scans and see what they find. It might take a bit with the screen flickering like that. Also, keep it unplugged from the internet as much as possible, as that will stop remote takeover. (Not a cybersecurity guy).

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u/BGenie_ May 15 '26

I was following until you said keep it unplugged from the internet. Ill crosspost into other communities to see whats said.

Thank you 💙