How to inform Your System Has a Virus and How to Get Rid of It?

Has your computer been acting strangely for the past few days? Do you doubt having your computer hacked or affected by a virus? Well, possibilities are there which you cannot deny.

You can confirm the same with some common telltale signs, which you will read here. With the help of them, you will be able to detect, remove and apply protection against viruses, Trojan, or ransomware.

What do you understand with the term ‘computer virus?’

A computer virus is a type of malicious software (malware) which self-replicates and infects the system. It can affect computers by slowing down or completely stopping the system.

Generally, malware or spyware is hard to detect in the system. Therefore, you should take care of these threats at the time you purchase your computer system. You must get virus detecting software or anti ransomware software installed before you download other applications on your system.

What are the common signs to detect virus?

However, if you haven’t got such protection on your computer and facing the threat of virus attack, here are a few common signs to detect virus –

1. Slow computer processing speed

Files on your system are taking eternity to open or getting corrupt. You are unable to access your database along with the hard drive constantly making noises.

2. Computer freezes and apps getting crashed unexpectedly

When you download files from unsafe sources, these are commons issues to expect. You can call it a classic sign of virus attack, sometimes misjudged as hardware issues as well. Therefore, it is highly suggested that you download files or software from trusted sites.

3. Loosing of admin privileges and system settings

When you don’t have ransomware protection software on your computer, this is the least that can happen. You will be locked out of the system, unable to use administrative tools like task manager, etc.

4. Computer using resources when it should be idle

When your system seems to use many resources like CPU memory, disk space, etc., when it should stay idle, it is a red flag for your system. Such a thing often happens with many types of virus attacks. You can confirm the same by checking the speed of CPU fans. If fans are whirring at high speed, it is surely under virus attack.

5. Windows start popping up

When your computer starts showing pop-up messages out of nowhere, then your system is under threat. These pop-up messages or new windows display prizes, freebies, or explicit contents, which are hard to remove at a point. Here, you clearly need the help of professionals.

6. Seeing software you didn’t download

This is a classic sign of modus operandi where hackers try to attack your system by injecting their malicious code package with a legitimate software package. To avoid such threats, download software from reputable websites only.

How to remove viruses from your computer?

As you doubt your system of having computer virus, match the common issues faced and confirm. When you are assured of the fact that your system is infected, here are a few ways to get it corrected (virus removed).

1. Seek professional help

You may or may feel like dealing with this issue personally. Therefore, the best step forward will be seeking help from professionals. Either visit a local computer care service or contact someone prudent online. They will deal with the existing issue and install proper protection against such threats in the future.

2. Download antivirus software and install it

Windows Defender or other security essentials are already working on your computer. But you must choose to download antivirus software or anti malware removal tool for added security or the current issue you have been facing.

You must download the software from a reputable website or vendor. Install if properly while following mandatory instructions.

Note: For this software to work freely, you will have to disable your operating system’s built-in software.

3. Reboot your system in safe mode

System reboot is an advanced process; proceed with it if you have little know-how about the operating system and its processes. (You may choose to skip this process)

As you reboot your computer and activate safe mode, the system runs bare minimum services as needed for smooth operation. Safe mode limits malware from starting and inflicting damage to your computer.

Note: Windows 10, 8, and 7 have different reboot processes. You must know it while carrying out this step.

4. Clear browser cache and temporary files

There are possible chances of a virus lurking in cache of browser or in the temporary file folder. Take no more chance and delete Temp Files and browser Cache.

Windows 10 has the easiest process for deleting temp files. All you have to do is type ‘run’ in task bar> click on the app> type ‘%temp% in given space and enter> press ctrl-A and DEL. All temporary files will be deleted.

5. Run a full system scan and quarantine the virus

If you already have antivirus software installed, run a complete scan. While you opt for the scan, make sure it includes scanning of your hard drives as well. In fact, if you doubt that the source of the virus to be some external device, keep them all connected as well.

As you run a complete scan, the software will check every possible source for the virus and detect it. You will be then asked to complete the action; delete virus or quarantine. You must select the latter, quarantine.

Final Word

Computer virus poses some real issues and takes a toll on your work. You will be glad to know that it takes minimal effort to keep your system sound and smoothly working. Regularly updating antivirus software, following legitimate sites for downloading, and keeping your OS up-to-date will help your journey in the long run.

Lastly, you should know that all operating systems are prone to be attacked by a virus. You will need to stay cautious all the time to keep your system and work unaffected by the virus.