How to to get rid of a computer virus, infected program or bad security program, manually?
How to get rid of a computer virus, infected program or bad security program, yourself?
Mind you, there are thousands of types of viruses that effect your computer operations, corrupt or steal files or worse- format your drive. They can be written by amateurs just to see what it will do to sophisticated crime organizations. They are the scourge of the Internet.
All systems are venerable, so do not convince yourself that you are invisible or immune. We have learned the hard way more that once. If you suspect that you have been infected, it is time to take action.
Some free anti- virus security programs, can cause all sorts of problems. They are free since they benefit the author more than you by helping themselves to your contact list, banking information and will sell your email address to the highest bidder. You may notice there is no support contacts, address or even a real company in behind them.
If the security program will not un-install, you have to go to Start> Computer> Your C: drive. Then, go looking under Programs- can be either Programs or Programs (x86). You need to be very careful to find the right folder or program then highlight it. With your mouse right click and look for the Delete function and click on it.
After it has disappeared, open your Recycle bin on your Main screen and Empty. At this point, re-boot your computer and go directly to the new folder you created and look for an install or .exe file for your new security program. Click on it, to install. Once it appears on your main screen or under Start program, open the new program and run the virus definition update feature to get current. Then. run a full scan of your system before surfing again. You maybe asked to re-boot again once you have resolved any outstanding issues the program alerts you to.
The first line of defence is still a quality anti virus program that updates at least hourly. Better still an Internet security package, see the differences here. Plus a two way firewall which stops most known viruses getting in and stops most you already have from spreading to your friends and colleagues. Most free programs, do not provide this vital coverage.
So really, who cares how you got it? Right now, you only want control back of your computer. The method we use only when all else fails is illustrated below and takes awhile to complete so get a fresh coffee before starting. We use it when suspicious stuff starts to happen, like a major slow down, non- stop pop-ups, programs crashing and missing files. Things even our security may not have caught. Later, we will point you in the right direction to help you stop a virus infection from happening again:)
LATEST Virus- to be aware of & an
Action Plan
Trojan.RansomlockRisk Level: LOW
Mar. 11, 2013
How to get rid of a stubborn computer virus?
Windows 7 example- Vista & XP all have similar settings and methods.
MOST likely spot. Check your "Start Up" files using Control Panel then go under Administrative Tools, followed by System Configuration > Click on Start Up files. You can scroll down the list and see if there any strange entries. Here, you can eliminate one at a time and re-boot to see if the virus has been eliminated. We suggest getting rid of as many tool bars and apps that you use infrequently. If this not resolve the problem, please proceed with more in depth Hands on approach.
If you do not feel comfortable changing settings, you may want to consider installing a more comprehensive Internet security program. Most can be downloaded and put to work right away. Remember to clear the cache in your browser to help prevent the program in question from loading from cache. Yes, you should get rid of your temp files re- start your computer and check if they are gone.
Also, your computer's temporary files can be deleted. Most are just remnants of program installations though can include virus, Trojans, root kit and spyware instal files.
Now both, venerable areas of your computer will be cleared off or emptied, just in case a virus was lurking there. You need to re-start your system since those files could have been loading each time you started up. If your problems have not resolved themselves you can proceed to the following steps.
Hands on Steps
STEP 1.- If your system will cooperate, you need to press all three of these keyboard buttons at once ALT-CTRL-DELETE until your see your Windows desktop screen named "Task Manager" which will come up in a blueish menu. Special Note: You should set up a current Restore Point before tampering with your settings and make sure you have all the recent patches prior to playing around in Task Manager, if the virus will let you in. If not, see #1 below.
Step 2.- Select the "Start Windows Task Manager" from the list. Once in the Windows Task manager menu, you should see the "Applications" currently being used. Here, you will want to "End Task" for applications you did not know you were running (likely a virus one).
Next, go to Processes and again "End Task" on items that you can not identify. You should end only one at a time to figure out which one is causing the problems. If you think you know which one it is, write it down and search for it under Start > "Search programs and files". It is usually an .exe file of a program file, you have never heard of before.
Under the Start >Search programs & files , you can delete this file and go one level up and delete its directory by right clicking. Re-boot your system under Shut Down and Restart after the offending program is deleted. If no, see # 2- below.
# 1.- No- Step 1- If that does not work, unplug your system from your power outlet or remove the battery from your portable computer. Wait a minute or two for things to cool down (healthy for both you and your computer). Yes, you could loose some of the work you were doing but a locked up computer does you no good at all:)
Re-start your computer using your "on" button and plugged into your power source. Log on (User name and password) to your User account and wait for your Desktop page to appear. Try Step 1, again.
Step 2.- If you system starts up again in a reasonable fashion to your Desktop page repeat Step 1 and look for other potential problems.
#2.- No- Step 2- You will need to try starting your computer in Safe mode- see # 5 below,
Step 3. - Go to START> CONTROL Panel > Programs > Change Startup programs. Click on "Processes'. ' Look down the list for any new or unusually programs that are running (Leave the Windows, printer, mouse, security, crscsrs.exe, nvvsvc.exe. winlogon.exe- processes alone! )
Step 4. - There will be the normal ones from Microsoft or ones with titles you will be able to identify fairly easily. Usually, the bad ones are the ones with unrecognizable names or a security program you did not know you were using. We disable those. You can disable them and if you find they change the way you want your computer to operate, they can be turned back on here. (Disabling one at a time will give you the chance to isolate which program has been causing the problems).
Exit with the top blue arrow and re-boot your system.
Through a process of elimination, you can turn back on items from the list one at a time, if an important application starts to act up.
Step 5.- Starting up in "Safe Mode"- Close all of your programs and Shut down completely. Turn power back on while pressing and holding your F8 key. Select Safe mode which only allows your computer to load the basics. Click on your Start button and select your Internet Security or Anti Virus program. Ask it to perform a full scan on your computer and eliminate any issues it identifies. With your computer completely off again, let your computer boot the normal way and repeat the full scan again. Re-boot to clear any left over settings from your Start Up files.
At this point, it is also useful to check your "Start Up" files using Control Panel then go under Administrative Tools. followed by System Configuration > Click on Start Up files. You can scroll down the list and see if there any strange entries. Here, you can eliminate one at a time and re-boot to see if the virus has been eliminated. We suggest getting rid of as many tool bars and apps that you use infrequently
Step 6- If we think the virus is still lingering on our system, we go to Start> Computer > C: drive and look in Programs of Programs (x86) for a directory that identifies that harmful files still exist on your computer. The directory may show a entry you do not know about or thought you un-installed above. Here, you can left right click your mouse and select Delete to remove the whole directory of files. You may have to go deeper into the directory first to remove subdirectories first before finishing it off. Again, it is better to do one at a time and re-boot to clear and test the impact. Stay away from programs from Microsoft, your applications and ones that control your other devices, printers, etc,
If you do not have a quality anti virus or Internet security package, get one, right away. For less than $.15 a day, you do not want to have to go through this experience very often.
Make sure you download all the latest virus definitions for it. Then, run your program on "Full scan". Do not interrupt it or start other programs, we re-boot again, just in case remnants are hanging around in memory. Hopefully, the virus is already resolved, if not, make sure you let the program take care of it. The same applies to any devices, you plug into your computer or access wirelessly, such as USB drives, external drives or even CD;s or DVD disks to avoid being infected again. Stay away or de-activate toolbars, suspicious apps and email attachments from sources unknown. Clean up your primary hard disk- it is much happier and faster when running less than half full. Programs, old files, pictures, movies you no longer need can go. Files you really need but rarely use can be stored on a secondly portable drive of the same size or better. A secondary drive is a great place to do proper back ups, automatically.
Hopefully, that will cure your virus and prevent others. We all get dragged into trouble sometimes, so do not take it personally. We avoid most fake cleansing and registry re-organizers since some can be brutal and go right ahead without warning and seriously harm your vital registry files. Do not mess around in your registry if you do not know how to edit these files and what impact it will have.
We know it seems like a lot of work through it is worth it to protect your identity, should improve your loading times and restore your confidence in your computer security. If your computer will not start at all, it is time to see an experienced repair shop or manufacturer's service outlet. Your power supply may need replacing or some of your main memory may has backed out a slot due to heat. We are not in favor of on-line or home visits unless it was part of your purchase contract.
Again, we have some further suggestions of things you can do or should do on an ongoing basis on the buttons below or how to clear your cache, delete temporary files, cookies and more.
This is an official link for Microsoft and provides a Safety Scanner with some additional suggestions.
