How to Clean a Virus-Infected Computer

Computer viruses are insidious, sneaky and--like their biological counterparts--constantly mutating. If you think your computer has been infected, the only safe course of action is to use a good anti-virus program.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Anti-virus Software

1. As soon as you suspect that your computer has a virus, remove your computer from any networks it might be on, as well as from the Internet, so that you don't inadvertently spread the bug to others. Unplug your network cable if you have to.

2. If you have virus-scanning (anti-virus) software installed, run it.

3. If you don't have anti-virus software, you'll need to obtain some. If you can't get it from a network administrator or download it from an uninfected computer, you can mail-order it from a retailer.

4. Start your computer (still not connected to a network) and follow the instructions that came with the anti-virus software.

5. Keep running the virus-scanning software until your computer comes up clean.

6. Reconnect your computer to the Internet and check with the anti-virus software's publisher to make sure you have the latest updates. If not, download them now.

7. After updating the anti-virus software, run it again until your computer comes up clean.

Tips & Warnings

• There's no substitute for prevention. Good anti-virus software more than pays for itself as long as you keep it up-to-date.
• Common sense also goes a long way toward keeping your computer clean. Never open an attachment from someone you don't know, and be suspicious of odd attachments from people you do know (a virus may have mailed itself to you from their computer).

[violet4me]

on 6/10/2009 Oops - typo - should be good advice - very helpful!

[violet4me]

on 6/10/2009 good adcice!

[kishorek]

on 4/30/2009 my computer is infected with virus i tried a lot to remove it using an anti virus but some viruses again appear and slow down my computer i've even updated my anti virus PLEASE GIVE ME ALTERNATE SUGGESTIONS FOR REMOVING VIRUS.

[arunfreaks]

on 4/24/2009 Dipen12, if you want to remove Trojan, you should get a Trojan remover or Programs which would remove Trojan. Since Trojan usually affects the system and win32 files, you must need to format, if you dont want to format, you can use some programs as i mentioned to remove Trojans. But the ultimate solution would be to reformat your system.Hope that would help.

[Tangerine47]

on 12/16/2008 If I use APP Ranger to clean suspected virus,will Ilose any of my SAVED info? I cannotBACK up my files, at this time! which Macafee tried to "refer me to"for $ 69.95 or $ 89.95 ("depending on package)!!!!
almost everytime I sign on, and sometimes AFTER I'm on, the Macafee message says" Your computer is not fully protected, and it is almost impossible to get it in the PROTECTED mode. This morning one of their REPS
advised of the above.