How to Remove a Virus Yourself
Malicious software programs and viruses can infect a computer system through normal daily tasks. Incoming email messages may contain links to viruses and will spread through your computer when opened. Visiting a popular website will also increase your chances of installing a virus or other spyware on your computer without realizing it. You do have a few options to remove the virus yourself, however.
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Instructions
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OneCare Live Free Online Scanner
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Scan your computer system for unwanted viruses by visiting the Microsoft OneCare Live website (see Resources). Get a free scan of your computer and discover if its safety is at risk. Once you've arrived on the web page, you'll have several options to choose from. The "Protection" scanner will automatically scan your computer system for viruses, spyware or other unwanted software programs that have been previously installed on your computer system. The "Clean Up" scanner will help you get rid of clutter that may be slowing your computer down. Usually, the clutter includes temporary files and cookies that have accumulated on your computer through surfing the web. With the "Tune Up" scanner, you'll be able to defragment your hard drive by grouping similar files together. This will allow your computer to perform faster and more efficiently.
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Click the blue "Full Service Scan" button to gain access to all of the scanners. Read and agree to the Service Agreement to move forward through the process. You'll be directed to a web page to install the scanner on your computer system. Turn off your pop-up blocker so the scanner can be successfully installed. Depending on your Internet connection, it will take a few minutes to be added to your computer system. A pop-up window will appear for you to select the "Install" button.
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Click the blue "Launch Scanner" button to begin looking for unwanted components on your computer system. Another pop-up window will appear for you to choose the type of scan you'd like to use. One of the options available includes a "Complete Scan" that will check your entire computer system for viruses, spyware and other harmful programs. With the "Quick Scan," you'll be able to check the common destinations where viruses may hide on your computer system. After making your selection, select the "Next" button to move forward. The scanner will begin looking for these unwanted programs on your computer system and remove them for you.
Malicious Software Removal Tool
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Remove viruses from your computer system by visiting the Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Website (see Resources). Click the "Skip the Details and Download the Tool" link to be directed to the next steps. Select the "Download" button located in the center of the web page. A pop-up window will appear for you to select the "Save" button. Within a few minutes, the tool will be downloaded to your computer system. Launch it by double-clicking the downloaded file. Choose the "Run" button and the installation process will begin.
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Click the "Next" button to move through the setup process of the Malicious Software Removal Tool. You'll have several scan options to choose from. Select the "Quick Scan" option to only scan the general areas a virus may hide on your computer system. Choose the "Full Scan" option to have the tool scan your entire computer system for a hidden virus. This type of scan usually takes a little longer to complete. Pick the "Customized Scan" option if you'd like a fast scan of certain folders located on your computer system. Press the "Next" button when you're ready to move forward.
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View the scan details while the tool is searching through your computer system. You'll be able to see how many files it has scanned, the number of infections found, the start time of the scan, and the complete amount of time it took to finish. Once the scan has been completed on your computer system, you'll receive a report of all malicious software that has been found and removed from your computer. Click the "Finish" button when the entire process has been completed.
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Tips & Warnings
Always perform a regular scan of viruses and spyware on your computer system.
Don't open unfamiliar emails with attachments.
Resources
- Photo Credit acyokum, microsoft office online
