HomeSystemHow to Fix a Malware Infection on Your Computer

How to Fix a Malware Infection on Your Computer

Method 1 of 2:

Fixing a computer that can boot up

  1. How to Fix a Malware Infection on Your Computer Picture 1
    Back up your important files. If you have a particularly stubborn infection on your computer, it may become impossible to solve the infection without reinstalling your operating system. Sometimes, using anti-malware programs may also damage your computer.
    1. Copy your files to a USB flash drive.
    2. If you have access to an online file backup service, use that.
  2. How to Fix a Malware Infection on Your Computer Picture 2
    Download an anti-malware program. There are many free options available, such as Malwarebytes Antimalware or SuperAntiSpyware. Some anti-malware programs allow on-demand free trials, and are therefore also usable for removing malware.
    1. If you already have an anti-malware program installed, then update the virus definitions. Anti-malware definitions need to be kept up-to-date in order for the anti-malware programs to remove viruses.
    2. If a virus prevents you from downloading or running an anti-malware program, run the program in Safe Mode with Networking by tapping F8 repeatedly when your computer is starting up, and selecting "Safe Mode with Networking". This works because only operating system core files start up in Safe Mode.
    3. If running the anti-malware program in Safe Mode also does not work, you can use Malwarebytes Chameleon or Rkill to kill malware processes which may be preventing you from running an anti-malware product.
  3. How to Fix a Malware Infection on Your Computer Picture 3
    Scan with the anti-malware program. Quarantine or clean any infections that are found.
    1. Be sure to turn on "Scan for Potentially Unwanted Programs" in the program's settings. Some programs may have legitimate uses, but can also be used by hackers for malicious reasons; this is why they are considered potentially unwanted. Potentially unwanted programs include keyloggers and adware, which may have legitimate uses.
    2. Update your virus definitions before scanning.
  4. How to Fix a Malware Infection on Your Computer Picture 4
    Check to see if the problem has been fixed. If it is not, then install a different program and see if it becomes fixed. If no programs can fix your problem, then you may want to consider reinstalling your computer. Note that there still may be malware left on your computer even if the malware problem appears to be fixed. Use a different anti-malware application, just to make sure.
Method 2 of 2:

Fixing a computer that cannot boot up

  1. How to Fix a Malware Infection on Your Computer Picture 5
    Back up your important files. You can do this by changing your BIOS settings to allow booting from removable media. Then, you burn Lubuntu, a version of Linux, onto a CD. Insert the Lubuntu Live CD into your computer's CD drive, and restart. You will boot into Lubuntu. Then, you should use the file manager program included with Lubuntu, PCFanFM, to copy your files onto a flash drive.
  2. How to Fix a Malware Infection on Your Computer Picture 6
    Burn a bootable rescue disk onto a CD, and insert it into your computer's CD drive. Bootable rescue disks are provided for free by major anti-malware software vendors, as long as you have spare CDs with you.
  3. How to Fix a Malware Infection on Your Computer Picture 7
    Scan for the malware. The rescue disk should include tools to scan your computer for malware which may be preventing your computer from starting up.
5 ★ | 2 Vote
malwareanti-malwarecomputerprogram

You should read it

May be interested

  • How to Recover Deleted Files on CopyPhoto of How to Recover Deleted Files on Copy
    if you've accidentally deleted a file from your copy account or just changed your mind about removing a file, recovering it on copy isn't as straightforward as the others. there's no trash bin or undelete function from its website. once...
  • How to Clean Up Your PC Before Shut DownPhoto of How to Clean Up Your PC Before Shut Down
    it is always important to clean up your pc before shutting it down every day so that you can surf the internet faster the next time you use it. read and learn what should be done before the shutdown every day in this article. double click...
  • How to Permanently Erase Data Off a Hard DrivePhoto of How to Permanently Erase Data Off a Hard Drive
    so you want to make sure that someone can't get their hands on your private files on a hard drive. here are ways to render your data completely unreadable. when files are deleted from a computer by emptying the recycle bin, trash, or...
  • How to Create a PartitionPhoto of How to Create a Partition
    this wikihow teaches you how to divide your computer's hard drive into two distinct sections (or 'partitions'). partitioning a hard drive allows you to treat the hard drive like two separate hard drives, which is helpful when installing...
  • How to Speed Up a Slow Internet ConnectionPhoto of How to Speed Up a Slow Internet Connection
    this article teaches you how to get maximum speed out of a slow internet connection. if you're using your isp's lowest internet package tier, your internet speed probably leaves something to be desired; thankfully, there are some steps you...
  • How to Make Your Computer Run FasterPhoto of How to Make Your Computer Run Faster
    is your computer slowing down, whizzing and whirring as it tries to keep up with you? before you spend hundreds or even thousands on a new computer, you may find it only takes a few simple steps to make your windows or mac computer run...

System