Cleaning an infected computer can be a hectic task if you don’t undertake the process in chronological order. However, this should never be the case again. Follow the below-outlined process to breathe a new life into your computer.
The first step you should undertake is to determine if your computer is infected or has hardware damage. This entails inspecting signs of malware infection.
After ascertaining that your computer has malware infections, you should undertake the necessary steps as outlined below. This includes entering a safe mode rebooting, updating antivirus, backing up files, installing anti-spyware, and resetting passwords.
Here’s the explained procedure.
Step 1: Check for Signs of Malware Infection
You cannot treat an infection you are unsure of. Understanding the malware kernel and how it affects your computer is winning half the battle (against malware).
Malware expresses itself in many forms. The commonest type is in virus form, a malware that hides in files and only operates when the files undertake an action. The worms, acting oppositely to viruses, force files (programs) to take an action.
Classification according to aim include spyware, malware intended to track your activities, and ransomware, intended to take control of your files then the owning authority forces you to rescue your computer by giving them money. Adware hides in advertisements.
Once the malware infects your computer you will notice signs such as your computer taking too long to start or load basic actions. Once in a while, you may come across unfamiliar apps installed on your computer.
Some of the strange applications consume an ocean of memory in the task manager. Worse yet, it may seem impossible to uninstall the apps. Going forwards, you encounter sudden pop-ups on your user interfaces.
Your browser(s) may start expressing sluggishness when undertaking your orders. These are signs that your computer has malware infections. If you realize such signs, move to step 2.
Step 2: Enter Safe Mode
Take your computer offline. Conduct booting and rebooting in safe mode. For example, the Windows OS enables you to get safe via many roads. Entering the Safe Mode lets only the basic files and drivers, needed to launch Windows, to run.
If malware was set to load when Windows starts, it now lacks an environment to operate (under Safe Mode).
The simplest and easiest route to safe mode is to simultaneously press the Windows key and R. This opens up a dialog box labeled ‘Open.’ Type msconfig. This takes you to a navigation bar with General, Boot, Services, Startup, and Tools.
Click on ‘Boot’ followed by checking Safe Boot. There are options to start your computer under ‘Safe Boot.’
Minimal option starts the computer under normal Safe Mode, Alternative Shell starts the computer under command prompt only. Active Directory repair applies when mending an Active Directory Server. Finally, the Network option enables you to use Safe Mode under networking support.
Step 3: Remove the Infected Files
Under the Safe Mode, delete temporary files by using temporary file cleaners that come with the operating systems. For example, use —by clicking on Windows button— Disk Cleanup.
Next, update your (current) anti-malware or download a new malware scanner. When choosing one, check which malware program is the best, and install it. This can be a real-time antivirus program that constantly watches for malware.
Before using the real-time scanner, back up your files, and use an on-demand scanner. During the scanning, you can view the infected files. Most of these files reside in Program Files.
Once the scan is complete, the anti-malware program asks you to remove the infected files. And you are done! If the problem persists afterward, consider reinstalling your operating system.
What Is More?
To prevent the next possible infections, brainstorm the possible weakliness through which the malware might have accessed your computer and avoid them like plague.
First, a hacker may have accessed your files through a weak password system. Hence, reset your passwords. During the resets, use long and difficult to guess patterns.
Ensure you have updated anti-spyware to track any spyware any that may be seeking unauthorized entry into your files. Most importantly, avoid using unprotected networks.
Conclusion
Malware attacks your computer in various forms. More challengingly, their manufacturers keep updating them to surpass the present security systems.
For this reason, it makes more sense to update your antivirus. Whenever, an infection overpowers your present anti-malware, follow the steps outlined in this article to reinstate the health of your computer.
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