For most people today removing a virus from thier personal computer can be a very difficult task. We have put together a few simple steps that can point you in the right direction when trying to remove a virus.

 

Most viruses and other malware downloads, like spyware, are designed to reinstall themselves automatically even after the virus has been detected and removed from your computer.

In most cases, by updating your computer and downloading a low-cost antivirus software like Anti-Virus PLUS, you can help permanently remove any and all viruses.

 

Click Here to Download Anti-Virus PLUS and scan your computer now:

Basic Steps to Help Remove a Virus:

1. Check your operating system and install the latest updates. By doing this your computer's basic defense system will be up to date and there will be no holes or gaps for the virus to sneak through.

 

2. Now, if you have one, do the same for your anti-virus software. Check the web site, update your antivirus software, and then run the antivirus program on your computer. If you don't currently use an antivirus software, download a software and scan your computer immediately. I suggest and use Anti-Virus PLUS.

 

3. Next go to Start > Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs and find the non-operating system programs and uninstall them. Make sure to only uninstall programs that look like they might be a virus. Uninstalling the wrong thing may damage your computer.

So you did the basic steps and need more help understading how to remove a virus. In this advanced section, on how to remove a virus, you will need to have more computer smarts than it took for the basic steps to help you remove a virus. At this point you have determined that you have a virus (or some other type of malware) and you want to remove it. The first thing you should do, before any of the steps in removing the virus, is to do some research on the program or virus that you think is the problem. To do this research you can use Google and search for the virus to see if it is something you need to remove.

 

Follow these steps now that you have identified you have a virus, have the name of the virus, and are ready to remove it.

 

1. First things first, we need to find the virus and see where it starts. Autoruns is a program that will allow you to see all other programs or viruses that run automatically when your computer starts or is rebooted. So lets download the Autoruns program.

Just a note to be careful when removing programs from your computer. Some viruses are designed to look like important parts of your system. First do your research on what you think the virus is.

 

 

2. Next we want to restart/reboot your computer in Safe Mode. This will stop the virus from starting and replacing itself.

 

3. After that, we need to go to the Autoruns.exe and start it.

 

4. Once Autoruns is open, go to the Options menu and enable these options by clicking on each of them. Make sure there is a checkmark next to each of these options.

 

Include empty locations

Verify Code Signatures

Hide Signed Microsoft Entries

 

5. Now refresh the startups list by pressing the F5 key.

 

6. Autoruns lists infomation about your startup programs in eight different tabs. In most cases, the virus/filename you are searching for will be found under the Logon or the Services tabs. Make sure you check the entire report (all tabs) just for precautionary measures. Click on each tab and look through the list for the virus that you want to remove. The virus will be found under the Image Path column. It is possible that there is more than one entry associated with the same file, as it is common for malware to create more than one startup entries to protect itself. You must remember that many viruses disguise themselves by using the same filenames as valid Microsoft files. This makes it much more important to know exactly which file and folder the valid programs/files are in and that you want to remove. Your best bet, if you have any questions, is to go to a web forum about your operating system.

 

7. Ok, so we found the entry/filename that is associated with the virus, you want to remove/delete that entry so it will not start again on the next reboot. Simple fix, just right click on the entry and select delete.

 

8. Now that you have removed the virus from the startup it will not run when you reboot your computer. The next thing to do is go into My Computer and find the file and delete it for good.

 

9. So, now you have all the entries that looked like they could be a virus, deleted. Both from the Startup List in Autoruns and from in your computer through My Computer.

 

It is very important that you keep your antivirus software current and up to date. When your antivirus software is not up to date it doesn't know how to protect you agianst the latest viruses.

 

Also take in to consideration that not all antivirus software will remove all viruses from your computer. So take your time when researching for an antivirus program. The one we use on our home and office computers is Anti-Virus PLUS which you can download here.