How to Delete Spyware and Viruses

You can fight spyware and virus infections with free anti-malware programs.

Computers can become infected with viruses and spyware when surfing the Internet. Viruses can cause your computer to hang and crash and can delete important data. Spyware can send information on your computer to companies and edit your web browser to randomly log on to their website. You can fight computer infections with free anti-virus and spyware removal programs.

Things You'll Need

• Web browser
• Avast Free Anti-virus

Instructions

How to Delete Spyware and Viruses

1. Open your web browser. Download and then install Avast Free Anti-virus. You may need to restart your computer to finish installation.

2. Open Avast and click "Scan Computer". Run a full system scan. When scanning is complete, follow the on-screen instructions to remove infected files. You may need to restart your computer after cleaning.

3. Open your web browser. Download and then install IObit Security 360. You may need to restart your computer to finish installation.

4. After restarting your computer, Avast will open automatically. Right-click the Avast icon in the task bar and close Avast Antivirus. Open IObit Security 360. Click "Scan Now". When scanning is completed, follow on-screen instructions to remove infected files. You may need to restart your computer to finish cleaning.

5. Open IObit Security 360 and ensure that its Real-time Protection is running. Keep IObit running in the background to prevent future malware infection.

Other Software

1. Download and install Malware Bytes. You can run a quick or full scan for malware on your system. After scanning has finished, follow the on-screen instructions to remove infected files. The free version of Malware Bytes does not have real-time protection.

2. Run the Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool that is included on all Windows XP, Vista and 7 systems. It updates and runs every month if automatic updates are enables. You can also run it from your start menu or download a separate version.

3. Search the CNET Computer and Internet Security section for anti-malware programs. You can search by rating, popularity and cost (see Resources).

Tips & Warnings

• The best way to get rid of malware is to prevent an infection from happening. Always have an anti-virus or firewall program with real-time protection running, especially when surfing the Internet. Never run two anti-virus programs at the same time. They may conflict with each other. Run the scans separately.

References

• CNET: Avast Free Antivirus
• CNET: IObit Security 360 1.45

Resources

• CNET: Avast Free Antivirus
• CNET: IObit Security 360 1.45
• CNET: Malware Bytes
• Microsoft: Malicious Software Removal Tool
• CNET: Computer and Internet Security