I had previously written about the symptoms of a computer infected with virus. In this post, I would like to extend my topic with a solution. The provided solution is a step by step guide on how to remove the infection from your computer which you suspected or detected from your antivirus scan.
But before you begin your delete or removal process, ensure that you already had all your data backup so that you won’t lose them if you had accidentally made any critical mistake. Once you had your backup plans ready, head to step #1.
The steps on how to remove virus
- Do a thorough scan or full system scan or what ever that your antivirus call it. Make sure that you have a reliable antivirus to do this job. For this initial scan, our aim is to search for the Malware. The reason I call this step to search for Malware is simply because I’m sure you failed to remove them at this step and that is why you are reading this post for a better removal process.
- If you found the malware, just copied down the location of the Malware to ensure that your removal process later will get the Malware removed. Otherwise, if you can’t get anything from this scan, not to worry because you have more guides ahead of you.
- Use MalwareBytes to do the work now. About a year ago, I wrote a review on this anti-Malware which is free and useful against Malware. Remember that if you are using a free version of MalwareBytes, you need to update your software manually before running a full system scan.
- If you still failed to get rid off the infection, it is time to go to Safe Mode to do the job. Before connecting to Safe Mode, ensure that your antivirus is already updated. Once you are in Safe Mode, run the antivirus scan to remove the Malware.
- If you still fail over here, this means that the Malware is something worth spending your money to get rid off. My personal recommendation is to use the Kaspersky Rescue Disc.
Final Say on How to Remove Virus
Although I heavily recommended Kaspersky over in this blog, but having it installed does not mean you have a secure system. Security is an end to end process where you need to have everything in place to ensure your system is secure enough. That is why I wrote an eBook regarding computer security tips for all these tedious stuff. Apart from that, I had a post explaining what is computer security to get you started.
Before I end this post, I knew that I missed out the cheap way to clean up an infection. It is really cheap but not practical which is to format your hard disk. I would not recommend this but if you don’t have any other choice, then I guess formatting is the right choice.
What about the others? Drop your comments below if you have a better way on how to remove virus?
About Alan Tay
Viruses are nightmare for me. Good tips here you have tossed which can be great help for me.
Glad to know the tips helped ^^
I’ve read reviews on malwarebytes and they’re really good feedbacks.
Probably one of the reason is they are free and effective
Last week my pc infected by “System Check” virus. I follow the step I search from Google, but no one is working. I end out fixed it in Safe Mode with a few tools.
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That’s great! May I know which Antivirus you used when you fix it in safe mode?
I have Arvira free on that pc. by the way, your blog seem not mobile friendly.
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Not mobile friendly here you mean the bottom right pop up which causes it to block the post content? Or maybe you can specifically tell me the problem and I try to fix it so that most of my readers can have a mobile-friendly site to read on. Thanks a lot.
Yup, the pop up block me from the post content, I have to reload then only the pop up disappear.
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Let me see if I can install some plugin to enhance my site when reading from the mobile. Thanks for the tips there
I am just notice the “System Check” removal instruction link on your right sidebar. I should notice it early.
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That is one of my blog sponsor, PC Risk. They are the expert of Spyware removal and you can always refer to their site if you have any infections.
Great guide Alan. I can’t tell you how much I recommend malwarebytes to other people. It does such a great job removing most malware.
Whenever I help someone, I usually just go straight to safe mode with networking to attempt to remove any threats no matter if I am using malwarebytes or the antivirus software they have installed.
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I see, Dominic. I will prefer to do it from the normal state first and only go to safe mode if the malware cannot be removed. Seems likke you love MalwareBytes as well
Yeah, I definitely like MalwareBytes. Also, I am sure running in normal state vs safe mode is just a personal preference of mine. I am sure both are effective
.
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I’m also a fan of MalwareBytes. On more than one occasion it has saved me from some nasty malware. Many people don’t realize the importance of a good anti-virus program. I’ve had more than a few friends on the verge of tossing their computer because they though it was beyond repair and all they needed were the right programs.
Only once did I decide to format my hard drive. I admit I got frustrated, but all of my important files were backed up, so it wasn’t that big a deal. I definitely will recommend your site and you eBook to some of my friends. It’s important to know how to protect your computer and your personal information. Thanks for the informative post.
Thanks Shoshana
Hope to see more people joining this community to learn more about computer security. My promise is I will try my best on my side to provide the most valuable content for you all.
Antivirus is serious problems for computer users and blogger. I rearlly scared of viruses, they’ve the ability to ban everything they want and thank for the tips. it’s help solved the problem.
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Probably just everything, Ferb. Thanks for stopping by here
I use Microsoft Security Essential and its too good. Viruses are just aaaahhh..! Tips are great budddy. thank you very much.
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You are welcome
You might want to check out some alternative to Microsoft Security Essential as the recent AV test does not show that it has a very good protection.
Two of our six computers have been hit with a virus in the past week. To even get MalwareBytes to run the scan, we had to restore both computers back to a previous date. Then the scan was able to run and take care of the virus.
Is there any harm in this?
Once you got it removed, it should be okay. I can suggest you to run a system error check, a default windows utilities to see if there is any damage applied. On top of that, you can run a few popular online virus scanners like Norton, and Bitdefender to really ensure the threat is removed completely.
nice sharing..:)
Thank you
Hey Alan Do you have any idea how to remove malware from websites I am facing malware warning on start up of my client site.
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Is it running on WordPress? You might want to start off by applying the latest patch to all those web servers thing.
No it’s a custom admin based site on Php platform.
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Then I guess you need to know the cause. Most likely the site is infected with Malware is simply because of Injections but I can advise you to start checking whether it is infected with the following threats.
https://www.owasp.org/index.php/Top_10_2010
There is no use in removing the Malware because they can again easily infect the website. I think you need to find the cause first and I suspect is Cross-site scripting (XSS) because it is pretty common.
Oh Virus is a very bad thing for every blogger. Even these days hacking also comes in the account.
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Have you seen http://GuideMyAntivirus.com? It’s a site I whipped up to help people remove viruses and malware. Check it out, would love to have some feedback.
Thanks!
Thanks for the tip. Having trouble with virus lately. Can’t access some files. I have no choice but to ask an expert to work it out for me. Good thing I saw your post. I know now what to do. Just a concern, is this technique also applicable to Mac?
nice share Alan, i hate virus because my lappy have tons of virus and i also hate most of anti-virus soft wares because they remove my files.
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This is a great tutorial Alan, and you use the best tool out there – Malwarebytes! As far as value for money goes, you don’t get much better than this program! Great post
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