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If you’ve noticed your computer acting up lately—maybe it’s slower than usual, displaying annoying pop-ups, or crashing randomly—it’s possible your device has picked up a virus. Computer viruses can be sneaky, disruptive, they interfere with your work, privacy, and even security. But don’t worry; you don’t need to be a tech genius to handle this! With a little guidance, you can tackle these digital pests yourself(and learn more about your computer in the process!). This guide will walk you through the exact steps to take, from spotting the signs of a virus to removing it entirely.
By the end of this post, you’ll feel confident in removing viruses from your device and knowing what steps to take to keep it virus-free in the future. Let’s dive into it!
Step 1: Identify the Symptoms of a Virus
Explanation
Before you start battling a virus, it’s important to confirm that your device is actually infected. And while this is not by any means an exhaustive list, there are a few telltale signs that will be most common, so keep an eye out for any of these symptoms:
- Slow Performance: Is your computer lagging or freezing frequently? Viruses can drain your system’s resources, making even simple tasks a chore.
- Pop-ups or Ads: Unexpected ads, pop-ups, or alerts can be a major red flag, especially if they show up even when you’re not browsing the internet.
- Unrecognized Programs: If you notice strange applications installed on your computer, they might have arrived with the virus.
- Frequent Crashes: When a virus overloads the system, it can cause your device to crash or reboot randomly.
- Browser Redirection: If your searches or homepage suddenly direct you to odd websites, a virus might have altered your browser settings.
Goal
The goal here is to identify whether you’re actually dealing with a virus. By recognizing these common indicators of an infection, you’ll know if it’s time to take action to clean your system.
Result
After completing this step, you should have a clearer idea of whether your device is infected, allowing you to proceed with confidence.
Step 2: Disconnect from the Internet
Explanation
Once you suspect your device might have a virus, your first move should be to disconnect from the internet. When online, some types of malware can communicate with other servers, potentially downloading more malicious files or sending your data to hackers.
To disconnect:
- On Windows, click on the Wi-Fi or Network icon in the taskbar and select Disconnect.
- On a Mac, click on the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar and toggle it off.
Goal
Isolating your device is a common method to stop the virus from spreading to other computers on your network or from accessing the internet, which sometimes it will want to do for various reasons. This simple action goes quite a ways in preventing further damage, and frequently you don’t need the internet to resolve the issue if you know what to look for.
Result
With your device offline, you’ve taken an important step in limiting the virus’s impact. Now, it won’t be able to call out for backup or spread through your network.
Step 3: Boot into Safe Mode
Explanation
Safe Mode is like a “bare-bones” version of your operating system that only runs essential programs. By booting into Safe Mode, you restrict the virus’s ability to operate, making it easier to remove. Here’s how to do it:
For Windows:
- Restart your computer.
- As it boots up, press the F8 key (or Shift + F8 on some systems).
- Select Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking from the list of options. If you noticed the malware attempting any connections, or after you disconnected earlier maybe that alleviated some of the issues. Perhaps going without networking here is the play, but that is going to have to be determined by you.
For macOS:
- Restart your Mac.
- As it starts up, hold down the Shift key until the Apple logo appears.
- Release the Shift key when you see the login window.
Goal
Reduce the virus’s ability to function, making it safer for you to troubleshoot and remove any threats.
Result
With Safe Mode activated, you can proceed to the next steps without the virus potentially interfering. It’s like having a safe space to operate while you clean up your system.
Step 4: Delete Temporary Files
Explanation
Temporary files are often stored in “Temp” folders, and sometimes viruses hide there. This location is frequently chosen due to anyone having the ability to place and execute files here, so its a common spot to check for anything shady. By deleting these files, you not only free up space but also make the upcoming scans faster and possibly remove any hidden threats.
For Windows:
- Open Settings > System > Storage.
- Select Temporary files and choose Remove files.
For macOS:
- Open Finder and select Go > Go to Folder.
- Type in ~/Library/Caches and delete files in this folder.
Goal
Clean up your system by getting rid of clutter and potentially removing small, hidden viruses that might be hiding in temporary storage. You should regularly be doing cleanups like this to maintain your computer’s performance. It’s kinda like an oil change… Everything just works better if you do the basic maintenance.
Result
Your device should now have fewer files to scan, which makes the next steps quicker. Plus, you might remove simple malware in the process!
Step 5: Run an On-Demand Malware Scanner
Explanation
Now it’s time for the real action. An on-demand malware scanner is like a targeted attack on any viruses or malware lurking on your device. Unlike your regular antivirus software, on-demand scanners are specifically designed to detect and remove malicious software.
Some popular, trustworthy options include:
- Malwarebytes: Known for a strong focus on malware removal.
- HitmanPro: Great for finding and removing hidden malware.
- AdwCleaner: Excellent for cleaning up adware and unwanted programs.
Simply download one of these, open the program, and select Scan.
Goal
Use a dedicated malware scanner to identify and remove any existing threats, providing a strong first line of defense.
Result
This step should catch and remove most viruses on your device, giving you a cleaner slate to work from as we move into more thorough checks.
Step 6: Perform a Full Scan with Your Antivirus Software
Explanation
Even if you’ve run an on-demand malware scanner, it’s wise to follow up with a full, in-depth scan using your antivirus software. Most real-time antivirus programs might not catch everything on the first try, so a full scan will ensure no virus is left behind. And be sure before you run any sort of scan you have the latest signatures downloaded from the last update. Antivirus scanners can update a few times a week and even if a virus is known… if you don’t have that particular signature… tough luck.
To do this:
- Open your antivirus program.
- Select Full Scan or Deep Scan.
- Let it run its course, which may take a while depending on your system and the number of files.
Goal
Perform a deep cleanse of your device(with your updated scanner), giving yourself the best chance to get every KNOWN about threat removed. I say known about like this because scanners do not catch zero-day vulnerabilities, but frankly these will be only in use by extremely sophisticated actors. These types of hackers are not really going after your everyday people(whom this article is moreso aimed at).
Result
After this full scan, your device should be free of most, if not all, infections, allowing it to function as it should without any disruptions.
Step 7: Check for Unusual Programs and Browser Extensions
Explanation
Viruses often sneak in programs or browser extensions without your permission. Take a moment to manually inspect your list of installed programs and browser add-ons to ensure nothing looks out of place.
For Programs:
- On Windows, go to Settings > Apps.
- On macOS, open Finder > Applications.
For Browser Extensions:
- In your browser, go to Settings > Extensions/Add-ons.
Look for anything unfamiliar, especially recently installed items, and remove them.
Goal
Identify and remove any suspicious programs or extensions to prevent malware from lingering on your device. Sometimes you find something running that doesn’t need to be run, or was installed as part of another software but isn’t necessary at all. Clearing this up can help speed things up as well, but you do need to be careful you don’t get rid of anything a program is depending on. If you don’t know what something is, before you delete it completely, make a backup of it before uninstalling the program from its normal location. Just to make sure everything is working fine afterwards.
Result
You should now have a cleaner device free of unknown or potentially harmful software, keeping your system’s performance and security optimized.
Step 8: Update Your Operating System and Software
Explanation
Viruses and malware often exploit outdated software to gain access to devices. By keeping your operating system and apps updated, you patch up these vulnerabilities and protect against infections. Keeping your operating systems and software up to date is one of the best ways to stay ahead of malicious hackers.
To Update:
- For Windows, go to Settings > Update & Security > Check for Updates.
- For macOS, open System Preferences > Software Update.
Goal
Strengthen your device’s defenses by ensuring all software is current and free of known security flaws.
Result
Your device is now up-to-date, with the latest security patches protecting it from further malware attacks.
Step 9: Back Up Important Files and Consider a System Restore (if Necessary)
Explanation
After you’ve removed the virus, it’s wise to back up your important files. For particularly persistent viruses, you might even consider a system restore to revert your device to a previous, uninfected state.
To back up:
- Copy files to an external drive or use cloud storage like Google Drive or Dropbox. If you are more technically adept you may consider doing something self hosted like nextcloud.
To perform a system restore on Windows:
- Go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery.
- Choose Go back to an earlier build or Reset this PC.
Goal
Ensure your data is safely stored, and restore your system if you feel it’s necessary for a completely clean slate.
Result
You’ll have the peace of mind that your files are backed up and your device is as clean and secure as possible.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You’ve just taken important steps to protect your device from viruses. By identifying symptoms, running extremely thorough scans, and making sure everything is up-to-date, you’re already ahead in safeguarding your digital life. Remember to keep regular backups, use trusted antivirus software, and stay cautious with downloads to keep future viruses at bay.
If you found this guide helpful, share it with someone else who might need a little virus-fighting support!
