Is your computer infected with a virus? Viruses and malware pose a threat to the security of your personal information and reduce the performance of your computer. Some viruses are very difficult to get rid of. This article will tell you how to remove viruses.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: System Scan
Step 1. Before removing the virus, back up your data
This guarantees the safety of information in case you have to reinstall the system (and you can restore your computer in the shortest possible time).
How to back up your data
Step 2. Make sure there are no other factors causing the problem
Don't assume that a virus is causing your slow computer to run - it could be due to a lack of RAM, hard drive failures, or some other factor. Damaged hard drives can significantly slow down your computer and can damage your files.
How to speed up a slow computer
Step 3. Install antivirus software
There are many different free and paid antiviruses out there. Most paid antivirus programs have test versions that will allow you to scan your system and remove viruses (so forget about the price of the antivirus and download the program that suits your needs). Popular antiviruses are Kaspersky, BitDefender, Antivir, Trend Micro. Install only one antivirus.
- You also need to install several anti-spyware programs. Such programs fight against malware that is not detected by antivirus software. Popular antispyware programs include Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and Hitman Pro. You can install several antispyware programs at once, but do not overdo it with their number, because a large number of such programs will slow down the system.
- If the virus does not allow you to download programs, do it on another computer and copy the files to the infected computer via a USB flash drive.
Step 4. Boot into Safe Mode
Most viruses start at Windows startup by attaching to system services. Therefore, boot your computer in Safe Mode, which starts only the most essential services, which will help you find and neutralize the virus.
Step 5. Scan the system with an anti-virus program
Quarantine all suspicious files (quarantine is built into most antivirus programs). Once the antivirus scan is complete, run an antispyware scan. Each antispyware is designed to neutralize a specific malicious code.
Step 6. Check the operation of the computer
Restart your computer and open your web browser or any other programs you had problems with. If the problem persists, go to the next section.
Method 2 of 3: Remove viruses manually
Step 1. Download Autoruns
It is a program created by Microsoft TechNet that defines the processes that start when the system boots. This will give you an idea of what is currently running on your computer.
- After downloading the archive with the program, unpack it into an easily accessible folder, for example, in C: \ Autoruns.
- Run the program and see how it displays the services and programs that start at Windows startup. The program interface is quite complex, but you only need to focus on some areas in the program window.
Step 2. Configure the program
To make it easier for you to find malicious code, exclude Microsoft services and enable scanning for places that are not normally scanned. To do this, click "Settings" - "Filter settings". Enable the following options:
- "Include empty locations"
- "Verify Code Signatures"
- Hide Items Digitally Signed By Microsoft
Step 3. Boot your computer in Safe Mode with Network Driver Support
Most viruses start at Windows startup by attaching to system services. Therefore, boot your computer in Safe Mode, which starts only the most essential services, which will help you find and neutralize the virus.
Safe Mode with network driver support (not just Safe Mode) lets you browse the Internet to find programs
Step 4. Run the Autoruns program
Double check that the program filter settings are correct. Wait for the scan to finish (it will take some time).
Step 5. Find suspicious items
This is the most boring stage, because you have to check every suspicious element on the network to make sure that it is or is not malicious code. Pay attention to the name of the element and its location.
- The network contains databases of numerous computer processes; such databases will help you find out if a particular process is a virus or not. Popular databases are Process Library, Bleeping Computer, File.net.
- Focus on the Login and Services tabs. However, do not ignore the other tabs, as viruses can appear on these tabs.
- Do not hurry. Getting rid of the process you want can lead to system crashes, so double check each suspicious process before flagging it for later removal.
- Before deleting a malicious item, make a note of its file location. You will find and delete this file later.
Step 6. Remove malicious elements
After making sure that a particular item is malicious, right-click on it and select "Delete". This will remove the item from startup, but it will not remove the malicious (infected) file.
Delete the malicious item and then delete the associated file. Repeat this process for each suspicious item. This way you will not forget to delete infected files
Step 7. Delete the files associated with the deleted item
Open Windows Explorer and navigate to the folder where the infected file is stored. If you don't see this file, show hidden files.
Delete the malicious item and then delete the associated file. Repeat this process for each suspicious item
Step 8. Restart your computer after deleting malicious items and related files from startup
This will get rid of most viruses; if not, go to the next step.
Step 9. Reinstall Windows
If you are unable to get rid of the virus, reinstalling your system is the best option. So you will avoid wasting time on removing a particularly powerful virus and spending money on specialist services. Most likely, you are using fewer programs than you think, so reinstalling the system will not take long.
- When reinstalling, the system drive will be formatted, which will completely remove all viruses and malware.
- Before reinstalling the system, back up important data and find the Windows key. Also find the installers of the programs you use, for example, the browser and antivirus, and copy them to a USB flash drive so that you can quickly install them.
Method 3 of 3: Remove Viruses on Mac OS
Step 1. Install antivirus software
As Mac OS gains popularity, the number of viruses written for this operating system is growing, so it is necessary to install an antivirus (previously, Mac users did without it). Installing an antivirus is the easiest way to get rid of viruses.
- Popular antiviruses for Mac OS are Sophos, ClamXav, Intego VirusBarrier and paid Norton, McAfee, Kaspersky.
- Install only one antivirus.
Step 2. Scan the system with an antivirus
Make sure to scan removable storage devices such as external hard drives and flash drives.
- Mac computers can transmit viruses to Windows computers, even if they themselves are not susceptible to them.
- Delete the found malicious files. Viruses in Mac OS are usually much easier to remove than in Windows.
Step 3. Rescanning the system
After scanning the system with one antivirus, uninstall it and install another antivirus. You can use two free antiviruses, or one free and the other paid. Rescanning will identify malware that was not found in the first scan.
Step 4. Reinstall OS X
If you are unable to get rid of the virus, reinstalling your system is the best option. If you already have a backup of important data, then reinstalling the system will not take long and will improve the performance of your computer.
Find instructions on how to reinstall Mac OS X on the Internet
Step 5. Remove Flashback virus
It is one of the first powerful viruses for Mac OS X. Apple has released updates that fix vulnerabilities in the system, but if you do not update your Mac OS X system, your computer may have picked up this virus.
To remove this virus, download the F-Secure's Flashback Removal Tool (or similar)
Step 6. Remove Mac OS X (MoneyPak) FBI virus
This virus blocks the operation of your browser, and a message is displayed on the screen that this was done on the instructions of the FBI and that the block can be lifted after a large amount of money has been paid. Remove this virus by resetting Safari preferences.
- Open Safari and click the Menu button.
- Click Reset Safari.
- In the list that opens, select each option.
- Click "Reset".