You can quickly fix a virus on your computer and prevent a great loss by applying simple safety measures. Learning these effective ways to deal with this issue is the best thing you could do. If your system is infected with malware and you have no idea how to fix this issue, then stop all your worries. This write-up will discuss the tips that will help you fix a virus on your computer. But before delving into the matter, we need to understand what PC viruses are, how they enter your system, and the signs of viruses in the computer. So, let’s take each topic one by one!
What Are Computer Viruses?
Computer viruses are malicious software designed to tamper, modify, and hijack the operating systems and the underlying information on a PC. These programs automatically increase their numbers by self-replicating to create a huge army inside the operating system. With self-replication, these programs spread to every critical area of the device, such as the central processing unit, memory, software, apps, and drivers. Once established in different locations, these worms interfere with every program essential to running the major operation. Viruses constantly communicate with online blackhats to provide them access to the main database to smuggle all the information. Cybercriminals steal all the important data from your computer using this technique.
There are millions of malicious programs active on the internet. Based on their work, actions, and mediums, these viruses are categorized under different names, such as spyware, phishing attacks, ransomware, trojan horses, adware, etc.
What Are The Signs Of Computer Virus?
Malware is like rogue software in the operating system. When a computer gets infected with this, it starts behaving abnormally. This happens because the malware does not sync well with the device’s admin; the CPU is not built to run these malicious programs. As a result, they start acting abnormally and perform poorly. So, here are potential signs that will help you understand whether your PC is infected with viruses or not:
Low Performance
Malware uses lots of resources of the device such as memory drive, internet, processor etc to keep itself active all the time. This hectic activity adds to the burden of the central processor unit. As a result of this, your system performs slowly.
High Internet Usage
Malicious codes are constantly in communication with their origin sources. To keep these communication connections well connected all the time, worms and bugs continuously use internet services. Due to this, your internet usage goes up mysteriously.
Unable to Access Data
If you are not able to access your files and folders or you are blocked out of certain folders, then it can be a strong sign of device infection. Malware interferes with the computer software to modify its codes and encrypts files and folders. Your system cannot decode encrypted data, due to which you cannot access the files or folders on the system. In this situation, it is sure shot that your device is infected with the viruses.
Unknown Software
If you are getting new applications and software on your desktop without doing anything, it is a sign of a malicious program in the system. These unknown entities appearing on the desktop are the work of a hidden malicious program inside the system. These unknown apps are trojan horses that get downloaded on your system without your consent.
Unnecessary Password
Bug-infected operating systems lock away basic computer programs. When you try to access and utilize this software, you will be asked for a password. We know that common features and programs do not need passcodes. This situation signifies the presence of infection in the device.
Strange File Extensions
Malware uses strange file extensions and the main title to hide its identity when saving a file. It is done to prevent detection and bypass the malware scanning tool. You may be tricked into opening these files and fall prey to the mischievous bugs. Make sure you take care of these unknown tricky extensions hiding behind fake file names.
Persistent Ads and Pop-Ups
You get nuisance pop-up messages and consistent ads on your system from unknown resources. These ads infiltrate your device without your consent. They are laden with malicious codes and download links that can take you to unknown websites. These unknown pop-up messages are adware laden with malicious programs.
New Executables
Executables are files that contain instructions and information that help your system run a program. If you are getting new executables in your system folder, then it is a strong sign that there could be malware in the device. These files carry .exe in the end or sometimes have nothing in it.
Increased Memory Usage
Worms, bugs, and malware use too many resources of your system. These malicious programs take up too much space and energy. So, when you see increased memory usage without having any data, it is a strong indication of malware presence in your system.
How To Remove Malware From Your Computer?
Malware can be sticky and stubborn. If you do not use the right safety measures on time, it gets bigger and takes the form of a disease that is unresponsive to treatment. It enters your important data section and modifies everything that comes in its way. As a result of this, you end up losing important information stored in the system. So, taking on-time action and safety measures are important for saving you a lot of trouble. It can minimize your risks and keep your device in good health. You can follow some tips and actions to deal with the issue properly.
Download Antivirus Software
First thing first, you must download a reputable computer antivirus solution with an advanced virus detection scanner, real-time protection, and web security features. Antivirus software safeguards your system from malicious programs, such as phishing attacks, ransomware, adware, spyware, Trojan horses, and web attacks. Integrated firewall systems and virtual private network features offer you a complete internet security suite from cybersecurity threats.
Antimalware solutions will protect you from malicious websites, links, and platforms that inject viruses into your system. Its round-the-clock scanner and real-time protection safeguard you from active worms and bugs hiding in the device. It will keep your system completely healthy and sound, keeping it clean from malicious programs. With reliable anti-malware software, you will experience complete peace of mind while running your computer and browsing online.
Disable The Internet Connection
Viruses remain active all the time, working in the background. They communicate with the outside networks constantly. To keep this connection running, these bugs use internet services. Hence, make sure that you disable the internet connection to intercept this communication. In the absence of the internet, malicious programs will stop working and carrying out their operations. This cut-off will render all the malicious programs null and void. You can use this tactic to safeguard your system from online infectious bugs and worms.
High Internet Usage
Viruses remain active all the time, working in the background. They communicate with the outside networks constantly. To keep this connection running, these bugs use internet services. Hence, make sure that you disable the internet connection to intercept this communication. In the absence of the internet, malicious programs will stop working and carrying out their operations. This cut-off will render all the malicious programs null and void. You can use this tactic to safeguard your system from online infectious bugs and worms.
Reboot Into The Safe Mode
After shutting down the internet, reboot the PC into safe mode. In safe mode, your PC runs a minimal set of drivers and important programs crucial to running necessary operations and isolates the malicious software from conducting secret operations. Rebooting creates a safe and sorted environment in which antivirus can easily run a full system scan to detect troublesome programs and efficiently remove them from your PC. Most importantly, it allows your device to recover from hectic activities that overburden the memory, CPU, and drivers.
Delete Temporary Files
Whenever you visit a new site or open a new file or folder on your PC, it creates a file with a code that helps it create memory. These are called temporary files or cached data. When you revisit the same site or open a particular folder, this data helps your device quickly access the site or file without wasting any time. Over time, this data is collected into the system memory. Malware can use this data to hide and run their undercover activities. In addition to this, cached data takes too many resources of the system, due to which you experience low performance. Therefore, deleting these temp files and cache is highly recommended for deep cleaning your PC and preventing virus infection.
Run A Virus Scan
Now, you can use the computer security program to run the full system scan using the antivirus software to detect and catch bugs, worms, and troublesome programs hidden in the PC. A full system thoroughly analyzes the whole PC, its apps, and software. It will take some time to finish the whole process. So, be patient until it completes the whole process. After the process, you will get a complete report of what is wrong with your system. If it comes across any bad program, antivirus software will remove it or quarantine the file for further verification. If the quarantined file is established to be a virus, it will neutralize the program at once.
Reboot the System
Reboot the PC to start everything fresh. It will set all the running software in the system from the beginning. All you need to do is to restart your device without going into safe mode. It will set up all the programs from the beginning.
Download Updates
Now, you can connect to the internet and check for updates. Download updates when they are availed. Delayed updates create security vulnerabilities and loose ends. Worms, bugs, and malware take the benefits of these loose ends and unpatched vents to infiltrate your device data and commit illegal activities. New versions of apps and software are configured to block and beat online virus threats. Updated programs effectively cover all the unpatched and open-ended security shortcomings. You also get new features that offer you optimal user experience. Browsers are the easiest and most vulnerable software targeted by cyber attacks. Make sure that you always keep your internet browser up to date as soon as new versions are available
Update Passwords
When infected, your PC is at higher risk of losing stored passwords and account details. So update your important account passwords once you have deep-cleaned your computer. It is highly recommended that you always use strong passwords to keep them secure. Always use complex passcodes that include letters, numbers, and special signs. Make sure that you do not use random and repeated words or letters. Avoid using the first and last letters of your name, mobile numbers, home address, and localities that you live in. Make sure you keep it as unique as possible. Using this simple method, you can secure your important data and financial details from cybercriminals.
How To Stop Virus From Entering Your Computer?
They say prevention is better than cure. So, you are advised to follow healthy computing exercises to keep your PC secure from malware infections. This section discusses the simple safety measures that you can use to protect your computer from viruses. Following are the tips that you can use to safeguard your device:- Use reliable antivirus software to deal with online threats.
- Use authorized and trusted sources to download apps and software.
- Avoid clicking unknown links and opening emails from unknown sites.
- Keep your operating system up to date, and never delay downloading updates.
- Do not provide all the permissions that apps and programs ask for.
- Avoid plugging disks, USB, and unused hard drives into the PC.
- Keep your memory clean from cached data and temporary files.
- Uninstall suspicious software and extensions to avoid infection.
- Always updates security tools and antivirus programs.
When You Are Surfing the Internet You Should:
- Avoid using public Wi-Fi connections for internet services.
- Use Virtual Private Network to protect browser activities from hackers.
- Use an integrated firewall to stop viruses from entering your computer.
- Avail password management features to keep passwords secure.
- Create cloud accounts to take backups of your important data.
- Avoid visiting suspicious sites laden with marketing links.
