5 Tips You Can Use if You Suspect Your Computer Has a Virus

1. Determine Whether Your Computer Does Have a Virus

Even if you think your computer has a virus, that may not actually be the case. The first thing you should do when you suspect your computer has been infected with malware is confirm your suspicious and try to determine what kind of malware it is. The most effective way to do this is by scanning your computer’s system, but you can also do research online about the issues you’re having, review your previous activity on your computer or ask a professional.

2. Bring Your Computer to a Professional

If your computer has a virus, it may be a good idea to bring it to a professional service, such as AnyTech365, for help. Some viruses are able to be easily found and removed by consumer antivirus software, but you may not feel confident in your ability to recover any damaged or deleted files or to successfully remove or neutralize the malware. Other viruses can be more difficult for the average computer user to handle, in which case it’s a good idea to affected users to contact professional services for assistance.

3. Run Scans on Your System

If your computer has an antivirus program installed, make sure you use it to run a scan on your system. These programs will review each file, program and piece of data contained in your computer’s hard drive for suspicious, damaged or corrupted files and potentially dangerous files or programs. Depending on your antivirus program, you may have several scan options at your disposal. Make sure you choose the most comprehensive scan option, typically called a full scan or a full system scan. This will ensure your computer’s entire system is scanned.

4. Locate And Delete Files That Are Infected

A full antivirus scan can run for several hours. When the scan is complete, review its findings. It should provide information on potential threats and offer a list of actions you can take. Some antivirus programs will automatically remove certain types of files, such as cookies, and quarantine files they have deemed malicious. You can review all quarantined or flagged files and programs. Then, you can make decisions regarding which files and programs need to be deleted or uninstalled.

5. Run Your Computer in Safe Mode

When you suspect your computer has a virus, make sure you boot up and run the computer in safe mode. Doing so is particularly effective against sophisticated types of malware. Once you have safe mode enabled, you may have more success removing malicious software because it will have fewer opportunities to defend itself.

There are many different types of malicious software. Depending on your level of experience and the type of malicious software you’re dealing with, you may be able to successfully clean your computer yourself or you may need to request help from a professional.