What to do about a computer virus

A virus is a type of malware — a harmful program created by hackers that can infect your computer or device in multiple ways. They can be incredibly difficult to get rid of and they can spread from device to device. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to protect your devices and we have some tips about how to remove a virus. First, learn how to identify whether your device is infected.

How does a computer virus work? A virus is written by programmers to attach, overwrite, or otherwise replace another program on your computer in order to reproduce itself without your knowledge.

 

A virus can cause a number of problems on your infected device. It may quickly use all your computer's available memory — slowing down your system or bringing it to a halt. Viruses can damage data, destroy files, format hard drives, or make disks unreadable. A virus can enter your computer as an email attachment, in a downloaded file, or hidden on a zip drive or CD. It's usually not obvious that a virus is present on a website, in an email or elsewhere.

Common computer virus symptoms

If you are noticing any of these problems on your device, you may have a virus:

 

  • Freezing and/or crashing
  • Missing or corrupt files
  • Difficulty saving files
  • Computer unexpectedly restarts
  • Programs randomly open
  • Task manager won't open
  • Constant pop-up boxes
  • Much more spam than usual in email
  • Windows updates don't install
  • Unable to open files and folders
  • Passwords have been changed
  • Problem installing new software
  • Noticeably slower on startup and/or shutdown
  • Unexpected errors such as low memory, system files missing
  • Hardware issues such as nonresponsive keyboard, printer

How do I avoid getting a computer virus?

There are some precautions you can take to keep your devices safe:

  • Install a reputable anti-virus program. Even if you don’t take any other preventative measures, using anti-virus software will provide your devices with basic virus protection and monitoring. This ensures that if you do get infected, you will be notified quickly and you can address the issue before the virus has a chance to do irreparable damage to your computer. 

  • Keep your virus definitions up to date. To be effective, anti-virus software must be kept current. It's important to download the latest virus names and definitions when your anti-virus software tells you to. You can automate this task so you don't forget to do it.

  • Run your anti-virus software routinely. Again, if this is something you find to be a pain (or you just forget to do it), you can automate the task.

  • Scan your files and programs. You can set up your anti-virus software to automatically scan emails and files before you open/download them. It's smart to scan ALL files, even if you trust the source.

  • Back up your files regularly. New malware is created daily. Having a backup of your data can be a lifesaver if a virus gets past your protection measures.

  • Keep your operating system and programs updated. This may seem like a hassle, but updates are vital for keeping your computer virus free. Updates often include patches to security vulnerabilities that could be exploited, and if you don’t update, you may be missing out on the latest protection. You can also automate this task in your computer's settings.

  • Secure your WiFi network. Enabling a WPA password on your home WiFi will help to prevent unwanted users from getting on your wireless network. If you need to provide internet to friends, most routers allow you to set up a guest network that lets them use the internet without giving access to your primary network, protecting you from potentially infected devices. 

How to remove a computer virus

There are some precautions you can take to keep your devices safe. If you think your device is infected, your first step is to run a complete scan using your anti-virus program. 

 

If your anti-virus program is unable to remove the virus, these are your next steps:

  • Try an online search for virus removal. You're likely to get the most accurate results if you have a suspected name or source of the virus, or can describe the specific symptoms.

  • Call a professional. If you're unable to find a solution online, call an IT professional right away before it gets worse. Consider Personal TechPro from CenturyLink.

Top Tools

Was this information helpful?