The Internet can make our lives easier but it also comes with risks. One such risk is malware, which can expose your private information and put you at risk of financial loss.
Malware can take many forms, including viruses, worms, spyware, and ransomware. Depending on the type, it can be challenging to detect.
Restart Your Computer
If you’ve noticed that your computer has been acting strangely, it may be a sign of malware. Malware can take many forms, but some of the most common symptoms include slowness, a change in your search engine or browser homepage, and new popups or notifications on your screen. Malware can also take up a lot of system resources, which can cause your device to run hotter or slower than usual.
If your virus scanner isn’t picking up the infection, try restarting your computer safely to perform a deeper scan. This mode will restart your computer and launch only the files and programs necessary for operating Windows. This should prevent the malware from loading automatically and make removing it easier.
It would help if you also tried deleting temporary files on your device, as these could be evidence of malware activity. To do so, open the Task Manager and look for applications that consume a lot of memory without running. You can then right-click on the application and delete the file from its location.
You should also try a second-opinion scanner, which uses a cloud-based approach to detecting malware. This scanner looks at behavior and analyzes suspicious files that your antivirus program may have missed, helping you to eliminate infections before they spread.
Run a Full System Scan
Malware is dangerous enough when it’s roaming free in the wilds of the Internet, but it’s even more complicated once it gets into your computer. It can encrypt your files, enlist your device into a botnet or scour your system for information it can steal or corrupt.
The first step to detecting and removing malware is to run a full system scan. A quick scan searches your startup folders for malware that real-time protection may have missed, while a full scan can identify more severe threats. To run a full scan, click the Virus & threat protection icon, select Scan options, and then choose Full Scan Now.
To make the scan as efficient as possible, use the Scan options to configure the types of files you want to include and exclude. You can also adjust the scan duration and the resources your system uses to scan.
Before running a full scan, open your Web browsers and remove temporary files to speed up the process. You can also delete cookies to clear the data that could be used by spyware or other malware.
Once the scan is complete, remove any unfamiliar or suspicious programs. Using the Windows Start menu, you can find a list of installed programs in the Apps & Features settings or search your PC for “unknown” or “suspicious” programs. Follow the on-screen prompts to uninstall any malicious software that is found.
Run a Malware Scan
Once malware enters your system, it can steal your information or prevent you from using your device. It’s dangerous while it roams the Internet. Still, it’s even more complicated once it takes control of your device and begins to encrypt or otherwise corrupt files, enlist your device into a botnet, or enact other harmful actions. Fortunately, running a malware scan can help you find and remove many types.
Run a complete virus scan and ensure the scanner scans the entire hard drive and other storage devices connected to your computer, not just the system memory. If a scan finds something suspicious, follow the prompts to decide whether to keep or remove the file. Most antivirus programs will also quarantine a file until you choose to keep or remove it.
Cybercriminals use a variety of tricks to infect your system with malware, including spoofing well-known websites, downloading compromised software from unsecured sites, and using USB drives to transfer files between computers. Symptoms of malware infection include slow performance, strange ads appearing on your screen, and unusual system activity. Disconnecting from the Internet while you run a malware scan can help prevent your data from being sent to a malicious server or spread to other systems. If you must reconnect, disconnect after you’ve completed the scan, and don’t stay online for long.
Uninstall Malware
Malware is dangerous enough while roaming free on the Internet, but the damage can be extreme when it gets into your computer or device. It can encrypt files, steal your personal information and enlist your device into a botnet to attack other devices. It can also slow your machine to a snail’s pace and gobble up memory.
Viruses, ransomware, and spyware are just a few types of malware that can infect your computer and leave your sensitive data vulnerable to cybercriminals. Fortunately, there are ways to detect and remove malware infections on Macs and PCs.
If you suspect that your computer is infected with malware, the first thing to do is disconnect from the Internet. This will prevent your sensitive data from being sent to a malware server and help stop the malware infection from spreading further.
Next, look for apps on your computer that you must remember to download. While the App Store vets apps before allowing them to be downloaded, malicious software can still sneak through. If you see suspicious applications on your computer, delete them.
Finally, check your system restore points to see if they are linked to the malware infection. If they are, delete them to clean up your computer. Also, remove any applications that use many of your system resources without being active.