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We all know malware is out there - applications that spy on you, corrupt your data, destroy your hard drive or give control of your machine to someone thousands of miles away. Since there are many examples of malware in the wild, it may only be a matter of time before you become the victim of a malware attack. When that happens, you'll need to know how to get rid of a virus or any other type of malicious software that may be infecting your PC. Also, don't assume that you need to wipe your computer clean and start from scratch. Often, you can remove malware without having to erase everything else. You may lose some data in the process, but you probably won't lose everything. First, you need to determine if your computer has a virus at all. Sluggish performance is a sign of malicious code. If your web browser suddenly looks different or automatically redirects to an unfamiliar site, that’s a good indication that malicious programs are at play.
Unstable behavior, such as frequent crashes, can also signal a problem. Additionally, if you try to access files and receive messages saying they're corrupted, that's another red flag. Antivirus software is practically a requirement for anyone using the Windows operating system. While it's true you can avoid computer viruses if you practice safe habits, the truth is that the people who create malicious apps and programs are always looking for new ways to infect computer systems. A few malware variants will try to block you from downloading antivirus software. If that's the case, you may need to download the software on another computer and transfer it to disk or a flash drive. If you don't have any antivirus software, now's a good time to purchase or download an application. There are several different antivirus programs on the market - some are free and some you have to purchase. Keep in mind that free versions often lack some of the nicer features you'll find in commercial products.
Most antivirus programs have an alert page that will list each and every virus or other piece of malware it finds. Write down the names of each malware application your software discovers. Many antivirus programs will attempt to remove or isolate malware for you. You may have to select an option and confirm that you want the antivirus software to tackle the malware. For most users, this is the best option; it can be tricky removing malware on your own. This time, if the software comes back with a clean sweep, you're good to go. If the antivirus software finds different malware, repeat the previous steps. If it finds the same malware as before, you might have to try something else. If one antivirus program is good, two is better, right? Wrong. This type of software tends to use up a large percentage of the processing power of your computer system.
Running more than one antivirus program will slow your computer to a crawl and possibly cause it to crash. Not all antivirus programs are compatible with one another, which can make your computer even more unstable. Many computer viruses store files in your Windows registry folder, which acts like a database of instructions and tells your operating system important information about the programs on your computer. It can also tell viruses to activate as soon as the operating system loads. Starting your computer in Safe Mode allows you to work with your machine using only the core elements of the Windows OS. If new malware is detected, you may have found a solution. Some malware exists solely to download and install other malware on your machine. Removing all these applications can significantly improve your system's security. If your antivirus software can't remove the virus on its own, additional research is needed for manual removal.
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