How to Remove Viruses from Your Computer

Almost everyone who owns a computer is likely to run into trouble with viruses sooner or later – in 2023 alone, there were more than 6 billion malware attacks worldwide. Viruses and other types of malware can wreak havoc on computers, causing anything from minor inconveniences to severe data breaches, and even disrupting global organizations and infrastructure. While modern operating systems have improved on their defenses as time has gone by, viruses are also continuing to evolve. In this guide, we’ll cover how to recognize virus red flags, how to remove viruses from your computer, and ways to keep your system safe from future infections.

Identifying the signs of a virus infection

Before we explain the virus removal steps, let’s look at the symptoms of a computer virus. Knowing the warning signs can help you to catch a virus early, preventing it from causing unchecked damage to your computer and data. Malware is designed to operate covertly, but here are the things that could signal their presence.

Unexplained system behavior

An unexpected deterioration in the performance of your computer should always be a red flag. If it’s slower than it should be, freezing frequently, or crashing for no identifiable reason, it might be the work of a virus. This happens because malware often consumes a lot of your computer’s processing power.

Viruses can also affect your system settings. If you notice changes to your desktop background, unfamiliar icons, or your web browsing suddenly displaying a different homepage or new toolbars, it could be a sign that malicious software has modified your settings without your permission or knowledge.

Unusual pop-ups

A classic sign of a computer virus is an unexpected influx of pop-ups. More than just an annoyance, these pop-ups will often pose as antivirus tools themselves in an attempt to get you to click on them. By doing this they can lure unsuspecting users into downloading more malware, or disclosing personal information. Always treat any unfamiliar pop-ups suspiciously, and avoid clicking on any links or following their instructions.

Step-by-step virus removal process

If the warning signs above sound suspiciously familiar to you and you suspect your computer has a virus, taking immediate action is crucial. The following steps will help you remove viruses and any other malware that may be hiding on your system.

Enter safe mode

The first step in the virus removal process is to put your computer into safe mode. Safe mode is a diagnostic mode that limits your computer to running only essential programs and services, making it harder for viruses to operate and limiting the damage they can cause. By reducing background processes, safe mode also makes it easier to identify and remove viruses. The way you enter safe mode will differ depending on your operating system:

• Windows: Restart your computer and press either the F8 or F11 key as it boots up.
• Mac: Restart your computer and hold down the Shift key as it turns back on.

Run a full antivirus scan

Once you’re in safe mode, carry out your chosen form of antivirus scanning. Running a full scan ensures that your antivirus software can comb through your entire system to locate any threats. If you don’t have an antivirus program installed, find one that’s reputable and install it right away. A full system scan may take some time, so be prepared to wait.

Delete temporary files

Many viruses hide in the temporary files created by browsers, operating systems, or third-party apps, so cleaning these out is an essential but often-overlooked part of the removal process. Wait until your scan has completed before doing this – deleting files while the scan is running might disrupt the process and prevent it from being effective.

Quarantine and remove any threats

Once the scan is complete, it will generate a report for you to read. Your antivirus software will categorize threats based on their severity and recommend a course of action for each one. For files that can’t be safely deleted, your antivirus program will usually provide an option to quarantine them. This isolates any infected files, keeping them on your computer but preventing them from causing any harm.

For most threats, the best course of action is to delete them. Follow your antivirus software’s recommendations to remove the harmful files. Once you’ve done this, it’s a good idea to restart your computer and run another scan to make sure the virus has been fully removed.

Protecting your computer from future viruses

Here are some further computer virus protection tips we would recommend you follow.

Keep your software updated

A simple way to give yourself the best chance of avoiding viruses is to keep all of your computer software updated. Operating systems, antivirus software, and any apps you use will all receive regular updates that include vital security patches and improvements designed to block the latest threats.

If you struggle with remembering to check for updates, it’s usually possible to enable automatic updates. This way, your software will stay current without requiring any extra effort on your part.

Avoid unverified downloads

The internet is full of enticing downloads, from exciting new software to interesting-looking files. Unfortunately there are often viruses nestled among these dazzling distractions. Avoid downloading software or files from sites you don’t trust, and never open attachments from unknown senders. Stick to official websites app stores for any software you need, and question any email attachments you receive unexpectedly, even those from trusted sources – they might have been compromised.

Run regular scans

Even if you do everything right, there’s nothing that can make you one hundred percent immune to every possible threat. That’s why running regular scans is so important to maintaining the health of your computer. These scans can be scheduled to run automatically and send you periodic reports, so they won’t interrupt your regular computer usage. This proactive approach will help you to nip any viruses in the bud, before they have a chance to cause damage.

Show viruses the door

With the antivirus software available today, running into trouble with computer viruses doesn’t need to be a death sentence for your computer, or mean irreparable damage to your data. Being able to recognize the warning signs and follow the above steps puts you in the best position possible to handle malware in its many shapes and forms.

Your antivirus software is your best line of defense against malware – so choose it wisely, keep it updated, and scan regularly. For software that secures your peace of mind as well as your system, think SUPERAntiSpyware.