How to check for virus and protect your computer

How computer can become infected with virus

The most common way your computer gets infected is by downloading or installing infected files.

Pirated media and free games are common culprits, as well as phishing attacks where you click on an unsafe link, button, or email attachment. Once clicked, the virus or other malware installs itself.

Similarly, viruses can infect your computer when you visit fraudulent websites. Sometimes you can inadvertently install a virus from an infected external drive, such as a USB flash drive.

How do I know if my computer has virus?

• Unexpectedly slow computer performance, which means that it takes noticeably longer to start or open programs.
• Problems with unexpected shutdown or restart
• Missing files
• Frequent system crashes
• Frequent error messages
• Unexpected pop-ups
• New programs (e.g., web browser toolbars) that appear without loading
• An overloaded hard drive, which can be detected if the device's internal fan is humming and working to wear out when you do nothing
• Emails that are automatically sent from your accounts without your input
• Web browser freezing or constantly redirecting your web browser
• Malfunctioning antivirus programs or firewalls

What to do if you have virus on your computer

If you think you have a virus on your computer, you should act quickly to try to destroy the malicious code.

Run full system scan

If you suspect that you have a virus on your computer, use antivirus software to run a full system scan of your device.

It's best to set your antivirus program to automatically perform this regularly so you can detect any problems before they become emergencies.

Review the detected threats and take any action you can - many antivirus and anti-malware programs will help you with this.

Restore an earlier backup

If you can't remove the virus or infected files, try restoring your computer to an earlier backup from before you started having problems. Then scan the system again with anti-virus software and see if the same problems exist.

Delete temporary files

Delete all temporary files on your computer. It's usually easy to delete them, but it depends on your operating system (e.g. Windows or MacOS).

Switch to safe mode

If you can't delete files because your computer is malfunctioning, try downloading the file in Safe Mode. This mode restricts the operation of certain programs so you can troubleshoot without interference.

Reinstall operating system

As a last resort to prevent a computer virus, you may want to reinstall your device's operating system (e.g., Windows or macOS). This may result in the loss of important files or other data.

At this point, it's a good idea to take your device to a service center and seek professional help.

The only way to guarantee the virus removal is to wipe the data from the device and reinstall a new operating system.

Depending on the severity of the problem, you may be able to deal with the malware or virus without taking this step (for example, by using high-quality antivirus software or by switching to safe mode and deleting bad files).

How to protect your computer from viruses

Use anti-virus software

You should always have reliable anti-virus software installed on your computer - it's best to download some anti-virus software as soon as you start using a new device. You should be able to enable regular scans of your entire device so that you know about any problems as soon as possible.

Follow four basic rules of cybersecurity

By following the following rules, you can develop good habits that make it harder for computer viruses to get in:

• Use strong passwords that are at least 12 characters long and unique for each account; use a password manager to store all your passwords securely
• Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) for any account that allows it
• Enable automatic updates for hardware, software, and applications
• Learn to recognize phishing - don't fall for it.

Be careful with public Wi-Fi

Public Wi-Fi in cafes, airports, and other businesses can be convenient, but these networks are often insecure and leave your phone, tablet, or computer vulnerable to viruses. Using a personal mobile hotspot or VPN (virtual private network) is a safer way to connect when you're on the go.

Get software from source

One of the oldest tricks in the cybercriminal's book is to sneak viruses and malware into the software and files that people want to pirate.

Always download software from trusted sources and get all your apps from your device's official app store.