Things You'll Need:
- Any proof you may possess as to the source of the virus
- Uninfected computer with Internet access
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Step 1
Unplug your machine right away and take the CPU (Central Processing Unit, otherwise known as the hard drive) to a computer repair shop. If you're very lucky, they may be able to track down where the virus came from, such as an email attachment or downloaded file from a file sharing network. If this is your personal computer, you may be able to bring a suit against the source of the virus. However, there's every likelihood that it was passed on to those places from another unknown source.
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Step 2
Contact your network administrator if you work on site at a facility and use a shared network. However, if a suit is then filed, it will be in the name of the company which owns the network equipment as business property.
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Step 3
Consider whether the virus seemed to attack shortly after experiencing unwelcome pop-ups from a Web site you recently visited. Pop-ups are a form of spam and some can contain malicious codes, even a virus. If that's the case, you may be able to get the attention of the Federal Trade Commission (see Resources below).
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Step 4
Don't give up. Anyone deliberately trying to damage a computer or network is guilty of violating the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. File a complaint with the Federal Bureau of Investigations to look into the matter (see Resources below).
