How to Remove Computer Viruses For Free
By Michael McKennedy
Viruses are everywhere and new viruses are being released daily. Maybe your computer is already infected? Maybe you are taking the proactive approach and you are thinking about how to prevent viruses from infecting your computer in the first place? Either way, this article can help so read on.
Let's begin with what a virus is and a few of the different types of viruses out there.
A virus is a program or piece of code that runs on a computer without the users knowledge. Viruses cannot install themselves, they must be run by a human, mostly likely from an executable file. Viruses can use up system resources, replicate themselves, allow a user remote access to the infected computer, as well as destroy personal data, hardware and software. Many viruses are spread via email. Viruses are different from spyware.
There are many different types of viruses.
- Boot Virus - affects the boot sector of a floppy or hard disk (hard drive). The boot sector is a crucial part of the system since it holds information about how a computer boots (is started) up. A boot virus does not infect files, it infects the disks on which they reside.
- Macro Virus - enter a system by exploiting vulnerabilities in macros. Microsoft Word (.doc file extension), Excel spreadsheets (.xls file extension) and many more...
- Polymorphic Virus - changes itself (actually, encrypts, or encodes itself) so as to be hidden from scans. When it is going to deliver it's damage it decrypts, does what it is designed to do and goes back into hiding.
- Resident Virus - hides in RAM memory, from where it can control all operations of the system.
- Trojan Horse - is a master of deception. It usually hides in software that appears to be a legitimate application. Once opened by the user a Trojan can do anything from delete files, and destroying system information to less malicious things as making your cd rom open and close and changing your desktop icons around. Trojans are famous for creating a backdoor in the infected computer. This backdoor allows users remote access which can be used to control the computer for whatever use the controller wishes. Trojans do not reproduce by infecting other files, which is one of the major differences between a trojan and a worm.
- Worms - are a sub-class of viruses. They spread from computer to computer and have the ability to move from computer to computer across networks without the help of a human. A worm exploits vulnerabilities in software and operating systems using existing files and transport systems already in place on the infected machine. One of the most dangerous thing about worms is their ability to replicate. An infected system could be used to not only send one copy of the worm out onto the Internet but possibly thousands of copies. In the meantime, draining the infected computer of valuable system resources.
- Download, install and update Anti-Virus Software.
- There are many 'free for personal use' versions of anti-virus software available. My personal favorite is AVG Anti-Virus. You can download AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition from here http://www.malwaresolutions.com/tool_anti_virus.html
Download, install and update AVG or which ever anti-virus product you choose to use. Follow the program's instructions for updating the virus definitions. This way the software "know what to look for". It will have a much better chance at removing viruses if it the virus definitions are up-to-date!
- If you are using Windows ME or Windows XP, disable System Restore.
- What is System Restore? System Restore is a feature built into Windows XP and Windows ME that allows users to 'roll-back' to specific restore points without affecting data files. A restore point is automatically created (as long as System Restore is turned on) when new software and/or drivers are installed. If there is a problem with the installation System Restore allows a user to select a restore point (a date) to revert back to. The problem here is this, if a computer is infected with viruses, spyware and/or adware when a restore point is created, rolling-back to that restore point will re-infect the computer. Follow these instructions to turn off System Restore in Windows XP
- click Start
- click Control Panel
- click System
- click the System Restore tab
- un-check the box that reads 'Turn off System Restore on all drives' (to turn System Restore on put a check back in the box)
- Disconnect from the Internet.
- Open Internet Explorer (or the browser of your choice) - clear your cookies and cache.
- To delete cookies in IE: Tools >> Internet Options >> on the General tab choose Delete Cookies. You will be asked 'Delete all cookies in the Temporary Internet Files folder? Click OK.
- To delete the cache in IE: Tools >> Internet Options >> on the General tab choose Delete Files. Be sure to place a check in the box that says 'Delete all offline content'. Click OK
- Restart the computer in Safe Mode.
- What is Safe Mode? Safe Mode is a special troubleshooting option built into the most Windows based operating systems.
- To access Safe Mode click Start and then click Shut Down.
In the drop-down list of the Shut Down Windows dialog box, click Restart, and then click OK.
As your computer restarts but before Windows launches, press F8.
Use the arrow keys to highlight the appropriate Safe Mode option, and then press ENTER.
- While in Safe Mode run a full system scan on the computer using the anti-virus software. This might take some time depending on how much data the anti-virus software needs to sift through. Be patient, let the software do it's job.
- After all viruses have been quarantined or removed, reboot the computer and connect to the Internet then run Windows Update (Windows XP go to Start, Programs, Windows Update - select all critical updates).
- If you are not already running a software firewall, now is a good time to install one. A firewall helps protect your computer and personal data from online predators. I recommend Zone Alarm. It's free for personal use and can be found on this page http://www.malwaresolutions.com/tools_firewalls.html
- There are many viruses designed specifically to exploit vulnerabilities in Internet Explorer. If you use Internet Explorer you might want to consider an alternate web browser such as Mozilla Firefox.
Tips To Help Keep Viruses Off Your Computer:
- Do not open email attachments - unless you can verify they are 100% safe.
- Stay away from questionable websites. For example: pornography sites!
- Be careful when downloading using P2P (Peer to Peer) file sharing software. Always scan your downloads with anti-virus software before you open them!
- Keep Microsoft Windows up-to-date using Windows Update.
- Keep your anti-virus software up-to-date and run scans periodically.
- Do not install Free software unless the source can be verified. When in doubt search for the software title on Google.
Removing viruses from a computer can be a daunting task: remain calm, do your research and be persistant and you should be able to enjoy a virus-free computing experience once again.
Good luck!
Author: Michael McKennedy
Michael has personally removed over 30,000 spyware/virus infected files from client computers over the past few years using the techiques desribed in this article.
He is the owner of http://www.MalwareSolutions.com
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