How to Scan Your Computer for Viruses

It’s often said that a poor workman blames his tools – but, when it comes to computers, the tools with which we manage so many aspects of daily life, maintaining their health is of the utmost importance. Viruses and other types of malware are constantly seeking to sneak into our systems in the hopes of stealing sensitive information, slowing down performance, and sometimes even causing irreparable damage. This guide will walk you through recognizing the signs of a computer virus and how to run the scans that can confirm your suspicions.

Signs your computer may have a virus

One of the most challenging aspects of computer viruses  is the fact that they can so often go unnoticed. Working in the background, quietly wreaking havoc, viruses and malware can lurk on your device while you go about your day to day tasks. Things you might brush off as annoying but benign occurrences – crashes, lag, pop-ups – can actually be the symptoms of a computer virus. This is why it’s important to recognize the signs.

Slow performance and frequent crashes

One of the first signs of a potential infection is a sudden drop in your computer’s performance. Viruses use up valuable resources such as memory and processing power, sapping the energy usually devoted to other programs and processes. If your computer starts to feel sluggish, freezes unexpectedly, or crashes without warning, this could indicate that it has been infected with a virus. If any of these issues start to occur for no apparent reason, it’s worth further investigation.

Unexpected pop-ups and redirects

Pop-up ads are a familiar nuisance; but a sudden surge of them, especially if they appear when you’re not actively browsing the web, should be seen as a major red flag. Some types of malware specifically trigger pop-ups or redirect you to suspicious websites in order to trick you into downloading them. Any time your browser opens a new tab unexpectedly, or repeatedly directs you to new sites you didn’t intend to visit, it’s a good chance that some sort of virus might be at work.

How to scan for viruses

You’ve recognized the warning signs – now comes the time to either confirm your fears, or provide yourself with peace of mind. During a scan, your device will be checked thoroughly for any potential harmful software – system files, programs, downloads, and other such components will be searched for any signs of malicious activity. Here’s how it’s done.

Step 1 – Install a reputable antivirus software

If you don’t already have one, your first step is to find yourself a reliable antivirus program. Not all antivirus software is created equal, so look for one that’s highly rated by experts and offers regular updates to combat ever-evolving online threats. The best antivirus software typically provides a comprehensive defense, scanning for viruses, malware, spyware, and other forms of malicious software.

Step 2 – Run a full system scan

Once your chosen software is installed, you’ll want to run a full system virus scan. A full scan sweeps every corner of your computer, ensuring that no stone is left unturned in their search for any malicious software. Full scans can take a while, potentially even hours, depending on your computer’s size and power, but they’re worth the time investment, especially if you have never scanned your computer before. 

Step 3 – Check scan reports and take action

Most antivirus software will provide you with virus scan reports once the scan is complete. This report will list any detected threats and provide you with options for how to handle them. They might even provide a list of potential vulnerabilities, allowing you to stop viruses from gaining access to your system in the first place. If your scan does find any existing threats, you’ll usually be given options along the lines of quarantining, deleting, or ignoring them. Quarantining a virus isolates it, preventing it from causing further harm, and deleting it removes it from your computer. Always take actions on any flagged items, and don’t ignore alerts unless you’re absolutely sure the file is safe.

The different types of scan

Most software will provide you with a few different options for what kind of scan you want to run. Each scan has its strengths, and some are more applicable than others depending on the situation.

Quick scans vs full scans

The shorter alternative to a full system virus scan, a quick scan will check the most common areas where malware can be found, such as system memory, startup files and download folders. Quick scans are ideal for routine check-ups, but aren’t as thorough as full scans. 

Custom scans

If there’s a particular area of your computer that’s causing you concern, or if you want to isolate a scan to a specific folder or external drive, you can often customize your scans to accommodate this. Because the scan will only be aimed at a precise location, it will take less computing power and often be quicker than a full scan.

Best practices for regular virus scanning

Knowing how to scan your computer for viruses is one thing – doing it on a regular basis is a habit you have to develop. Here are some of the best practices for keeping your computer virus-free.

Schedule regular scans

Setting up scheduled virus scans is a great way to alleviate the pressure of having to remember to run regular manual scans. Scheduling ensures that scans happen automatically, and can be set to run at times when you won’t be using your computer, so you’re not sitting around waiting for a scan to finish when you could be doing other things. A popular option is to schedule a quick scan once a day, and a weekly full system virus scan.

Keep your antivirus software updated

Your antivirus software is only as effective as its latest update. New viruses are created on a daily basis, often built specifically to combat the latest antivirus defense, so it’s important that antivirus providers regularly update and patch their programs with the latest improvements. Regularly checking your software for the latest update is as important as running regular scans. 

Plan your scans with SUPERAntiSpyware

To summarize:

• There are lots of places for viruses to hide within the confines of your computer, and learning to recognize the warning signs can give you a valuable heads up.
• Using antivirus software to run scans will enable you to detect any viruses or malware lurking undetected in your device.
• Utilize both full system virus scans and quick scans.
• Running scheduled virus scans can help to ensure round the clock protection, even for the forgetful among us.
• Software updates keep you safe from the latest threats.

Protecting your computer doesn’t need to be difficult or confusing – with the right tools, it’s actually pretty straightforward. Get in touch with us today to find out more about our anti spyware products.