1

Too slow

Image: Milad Fakurian

If your computer suddenly starts running much slower than usual, this could be a virus infection giveaway, since viruses can cause a computer to perform significantly worse than usual by consuming a lot of resources .

2

Too hot

Image: Artur Solarz

If your computer's fan suddenly becomes unusually loud, this could be a virus warning. If this happens, the computer is being pushed to its limits by some software , possibly a virus, causing the CPU to heat up.

3

Increased random pop-ups

Image: KOBU Agency

Pop-ups are a common nuisance on the internet. However, if you notice a sudden increase in random pop-ups, it could indicate that your computer is infected with a virus. Some pop-up ads contain malware that, if clicked, can install itself on your computer and run without your knowledge. These pop-ups may appear as error messages, or even messages claiming your computer has a virus .

4

Repeated crashes and freezes

Image: Joshua Hoehne

A computer may crash or freeze when running a resource-intensive program or app. However, if it crashes or freezes frequently without any demanding programs running , it could be a sign of a virus infection .

5

Browser homepage changes

Image: Nathana Rebouças

A browser’s homepage should not change unless the user modifies it. At most, it may open a separate tab after an update, but it won’t alter the homepage. If your browser’s homepage unexpectedly switches to a different website , your computer may be infected with a virus .

6

Unknown programs

Image: KOBU Agency

An unknown program or app appearing on a computer could be an indicator of virus presence. A hidden virus may be launching programs that the user did not download .

7

Computer battery draining

Image: Roberto Sorin

As we’ve learned, viruses consume a lot of resources, and a computer’s battery is no exception . When a computer’s battery life quickly drops, this could mean a virus is running in the background and spreading to affect the system.

8

Missing files and corrupted data

Image: Markus Spiske

Missing or corrupted files can also indicate a virus infection on a computer. Heuristic viruses often target files, causing them to disappear or become unreadable . This not only disrupts the workflow but also poses a significant threat to personal and professional information, such as important documents, cherished photos, or critical work files.

9

Unfamiliar files and folders

Image: Cookie the Pom

Computer viruses not only make files disappear but also create files and folders to disguise their presence. Some viruses modify files on a computer by giving them almost identical names, allowing them to blend in with the rest of the documents.

10

Disabled security tools

Image: Ed Hardie

Antivirus programs and security tools are some of our best allies against computer viruses. That’s why, when a virus infects a computer, it often disables security features to make its job easier. Some viruses are specifically designed to disable security tools, giving them access to the computer’s data and private information. If an antivirus program has been disabled, it could be a sign that a virus has shut it down.

11

Unknown emails in the Sent folder

Image: Justin Morgan

Checking the Sent messages folder in one’s Inbox every once in a while is a smart thing to do. Some viruses gain access to a target’s contact list and send emails from their address , spreading malware to other recipients.

12

Unable to access the computer or accounts

Image: Simon Hattinga Verschure

A computer virus may completely block a genuine user’s access . If you realize that you can’t access your online accounts or your entire computer, this can be a sure sign that a virus is running on your computer.

1

Roswell Incident (New Mexico, 1947)

It was July 1947 when something extraordinary happened near Roswell, New Mexico: a mysterious, large object crashed on a ranch outside the town. It wasn't an airplane, it wasn't a helicopter, it didn't resemble any known aircraft at the time. Interestingly, the military first described it as a "flying disc," only to later retract the statement and claim it was just a weather balloon. This shift caused endless theories and made Roswell perhaps the most famous UFO story of all time.

2

Kenneth Arnold Sighting (Washington, 1947)

No one knows the skies better than pilots, and in June 1947, one of them, Kenneth Arnold, saw something that would change the way we think about extraterrestrial life. According to his report, Arnold spotted nine bright objects moving near Mount Rainier, Washington. He described their flight as being like "a saucer skipping across water." That phrase would go on to coin the term "flying saucer," marking what many consider the beginning of the modern UFO era.

3

Washington, DC, Flap (1952)

Do you think UFO sightings only happen in rural or remote areas? Between July 12 and 29, 1952, something unexplainable occurred over Washington, DC. People in the US capital reported seeing mysterious objects moving randomly in the sky. But that wasn't all; pilots and even radar stations reported the same. While the US Air Force suggested that temperature might have affected radar performance, the sightings were never fully and clearly explained.

4

Kelly-Hopkinsville Encounter (Kentucky, 1955)

On August 21, 1955, two families in rural Kelly, Kentucky, experienced something straight out of their wildest nightmares. In the evening, a bright, fleeting light appeared in the sky. According to their reports to the police, the light was followed by the arrival of small creatures with large eyes and long arms, described as "little green men," who allegedly approached their homes and peered through the windows. Terrified, the families shot at them for nearly four hours, until the "little green men" finally seemed to disappear. When police arrived the next day, the houses were empty. According to neighbors, both families had packed up and left, saying the creatures had returned around 3 a.m.

5

Kecksburg UFO Incident (Pennsylvania, 1965)

We all know what to do when we see a shooting star: make a wish! But that was far from the reaction in Kecksburg, Pennsylvania, where on December 9, 1965, residents watched what looked like a massive fireball streak across the night sky before crashing into a forest on the town’s outskirts. Some people rushed to the site and claimed they saw a large metallic object shaped like an acorn. The military arrived soon after and launched an investigation that suggested it may have been a meteor or space debris. But the doubters were not convinced, and the event sparked a wave of theories and speculation that continues to this day.

6

Coyne Helicopter Incident (Ohio, 1973)

On October 18, 1973, near Mansfield, Ohio, something occurred that would challenge even the most stubborn skeptics. Captain Lawrence Coyne was piloting a US Army Reserve helicopter when it was allegedly intercepted by a large, cigar-shaped craft flying erratically at high speed and emitting green and red lights. During the encounter, the helicopter suddenly ascended beyond Coyne’s control. People on the ground witnessed the event and later confirmed parts of the pilot’s account. To this day, the incident remains unexplained.

7

Cash–Landrum Incident (Texas, 1980)

The ’80s were a wild decade, and that even included alleged encounters with alien spacecraft! In December 1980, three people reported a terrifying experience while driving through Texas: they were suddenly forced to stop when a huge craft hovered over the highway. According to their account, the metallic object emitted bright lights and intense heat. Later, all three developed physical symptoms, including burns, nausea, vomiting, and hair loss. Medical reports suggested these effects were consistent with prolonged radiation exposure, although it could not be proven that the incident itself caused the symptoms.

8

Hudson Valley UFO Wave (New York, 1982-1986)

An isolated UFO sighting involving just a few people is one thing. But it’s quite another when, for years, hundreds of people report sightings in the same place with similar characteristics. We’re talking about New York’s Hudson Valley, where for several years (1982–1986), residents, police officers, and even pilots reported UFO sightings. Many described the same thing: a large craft with a V-shaped row of lights that moved strangely and flew very low, sometimes even approaching houses. While some skeptics claimed they were planes flying in formation, witnesses didn’t fully accept this explanation.

9

Phoenix Lights (Arizona, 1997)

If one person’s sighting seems hard to believe, maybe the testimony of thousands will convince you. In March 1997, one of the most famous UFO events witnessed by large groups occurred. Thousands of people reported seeing the same phenomenon in the skies over Arizona, Nevada, and Mexico: a formation of lights moving silently and strangely across the night sky. Even Fife Symington, the then-governor of Arizona, later claimed he had seen the lights himself.

10

O'Hare Airport Sighting (Illinois, 2006)

If your skepticism has lasted this long, the next story might make you rethink everything. In November 2006, a large group of pilots, mechanics, and airline staff spotted a metallic, disc-shaped object hovering above United Airlines Gate C17 at O’Hare International Airport just outside Chicago. Witnesses say the object punched a circular hole in the clouds before shooting off. The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) initially called it a "meteorological phenomenon," but later-released ATC audio reveals tower and ground staff discussing the object in total confusion.

1

NYC

Image: Pedro Durigan

Buying a hot dog in New York City is as easy as breathing. Just get out on the street, and you will find a hot dog cart. The key components are simple, but tried and true. A beef frankfurter (usually boiled) on a hot dog bun, onions, and sauerkraut. For the condiments, mustard does the trick. Decades of New Yorkers repeating the recipe tell us that it works.

2

Chicago

Image: SuckerPunch Gourmet

Chicagoans do not share the New Yorkers' simple approach to hot dogs. They are all about the accoutrements. On a poppy-seed bun, a beef frankfurter is loaded with seven specific toppings: yellow mustard, white onions, sweet pickle relish, dill pickle, tomatoes, pickled peppers, and celery salt. Not for the faint of heart.

3

Cincinnati Coney

Image: Anju Ravindranath

One of the most famous coneys —or hot dogs topped with meat sauce—a Cincinnati-style hot dog takes toppings in a totally different direction. The usual frankfurter and bun (toasted, obviously) are now the vehicle for a spread of mustard, a generous scoop of Cincinnati chili —much more spiced than your regular chili con carne, with cinnamon, allspice, cumin, and cloves—, and a helping of finely-diced yellow onions. If you are in the mood for a cheese coney, you can add shredded cheddar cheese to your heart's desire.

4

Sonoran

Image: Jenna E.

Popular in Arizona but with roots in the Mexican state of Sonora, this hot dog proudly displays its ancestry. The typical bun is replaced by a Mexican-style bolillo bun, with a crunchy crust but a soft interior. The sausage is wrapped in bacon, grilled, and topped with onions, tomatoes, and pinto beans. Popular condiments include mustard, mayonnaise, and jalapeño salsa.

5

Kansas City

Image: Kelsey Todd

Kansas City deviates from the usual all-beef frankfurter. Instead, a pork sausage(grilled or steamed) is served on a sesame bun and topped with mustard, sauerkraut, and melted Swiss cheese. Another popular variant replaces these toppings with brisket burnt ends and barbecue sauce.

6

Michigan Coney

Image: U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Riley Johnson, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Allegedly born among Greek immigrants, the Michigan coney is much more straightforward than its Cincinnati counterpart. While the key elements are the same —an all-beef frankfurter on a steamed bun, topped with chili, mustard, and onions— they are set apart by the meat sauce. Where Cincinnati’s flavors rely on a multitude of spices, Michigan’s chili is beanless, meat-forward, and savory. Different, but not less comforting.

7

Italian Dog

Image: Sergio Contreras

A New Jersey delicacy, the Italian dog has multiple versions. The og recipe features a deep-fried sausage on an Italian roll, mustard, and a combination of fried peppers, onions, and potatoes. Variations include swapping the traditional hot dog for a different protein or replacing the potatoes with French fries. The addition of ketchup is a point of contention for locals.

8

Seattle

Image: Megumi Nachev

Seattle-style hot dogs feature an unlikely choice as their star ingredient: cream cheese. Created by a former bagel vendor, the original buns were also bagel-style; however, standard hot dog buns or hogies are now the norm. The buns are toasted and slathered with cream cheese, topped with a grilled sausage and caramelized onions. Jalapeños are also a common addition, and vendors might offer different types of cream cheese.

9

Cleveland Polish Boy

Image: Allen Rad

The star element of a Polish boy is, no doubt, the sausage. In this case, the choice is kielbasa, a smoked meat sausage, either grilled or fried. The typical toppings are barbecue sauce, French fries, and coleslaw. Fun fact: the Polish boy is the center of an ongoing discussion. While it has all the components of a hot dog, many consider it a sandwich.

10

Texas Tommy

Image: Wright Brand Bacon

Don’t be fooled by the name; this hot dog comes from Philadelphia. Some say that ‘Texan’ was a common way to refer to all hot dogs, and it caught on. What makes a Texas Tommy different? The sausage is opened lengthwise, stuffed with cheese, wrapped with bacon, and then grilled or fried until the bacon is crispy. Considering all that’s going on with the sausage, toppings are left to the consumer’s discretion, although mustard, onions, chili, or extra cheese are popular choices.