How to Delete LimeWire Viruses

Your computer may get a virus when you use LimeWire.

LimeWire is a peer-to-peer file-sharing program, which allows you to download files from other users (or peers). Such programs cannot prevent your peers from uploading computer viruses and labeling them as desirable files. Consequently, programs such as LimeWire put your computer at risk of becoming infected with viruses. The best way to avoid the computer viruses generated by LimeWire is to uninstall it from your computer. If this is not a desirable option, you can delete LimeWire viruses.

Instructions

Install Windows Security Updates

1. Click on the "Start" menu, then click on "All Programs."

2. Click on "Windows Updates."

3. Click on "Check for Updates," then click on "Install Updates." This will install the latest Windows security updates, which are released on the second Tuesday of every month and sometimes more frequently.

Run Your Antivirus Program

1. Open your antivirus program. If you do not have an antivirus program, download a free one such as Windows Defender or AVG (see Resources).

2. Update your antivirus program. If you do not know how to update your antivirus program, consult the manufacturer's website. You need an up-to-date antivirus program to detect and remove the latest LimeWire viruses and other computer threats.

3. Run a full scan of your computer using your antivirus program. Most antivirus programs give you the option of running a full scan or a quick scan. A full scan will scan your entire machine for viruses. A quick scan will only scan the areas where viruses are most commonly found. If your computer is still infected with a computer virus after running a full scan of your computer with an up-to-date antivirus program, continue to the next section.

Manual Removal

1. Back up your computer files. Depending on the virus, a manual removal may involve deleting files, registry entries or processes. Thus, you should back up your data in case you accidentally delete the wrong file, registry entry or process.

2. Type the name of the virus into the search box on the antivirus sites FasterPCCleanClean or 2-Spyware (see Resources). If you do not know the name of the virus, you may be able to find it by typing the symptoms of the virus into the aforementioned search boxes. For example, "Google redirect" or "red screen."

3. Follow the manual removal instructions provided by FasterPCCleanClean or 2-Spyware.

Tips & Warnings

• Not all antivirus programs are the same. If your antivirus program does not detect and remove all of the LimeWire viruses, run a second antivirus program.

References

• University of Washington: Peer-to-Peer File-Sharing Security and Software
• Microsoft: Windows Update
• Microsoft Security: Security Update Bulletins

Resources

• Microsoft: Windows Defender
• AVG: Free Antivirus Download
• FasterPCCleanClean: Search
• 2-Spyware: Search