What is a Computer Virus and How to Get Rid of It

Similar to what the flu does to the human body, a computer virus slows down a computer and makes it difficult to run basic functions on the system. Viruses replicate themselves and spread throughout the system causing hindrance to the computer’s performance. A virus-infected computer can lose files, damage programs, and can be damaged to the point of no return. Cybercriminals can also use viruses to steal your personal information and use it against you.

As we become more and more dependent on technology, we need to be cognizant of the safety measures that we must take in order to protect ourselves from viruses.

In this article, we will briefly discuss what computer viruses are, where they come from, how we can spot them, and what we can do to get rid of them.

How a Computer Gets Infected with Virus

A computer can get infected with a virus in various ways but the most common way involves the user downloading an infected file. Most often infected files come from pirated music, videos, games, etc. However, sometimes, users can get their computer infected by clicking on a link from an unauthorized source. Connecting your computer to an infected external drive is also one of the most common reasons for the system to catch a virus.

How to Spot a Virus

When your computer is infected with a virus, it will show one or all of the following signs:

• Slow performance (It takes a lot of time to open and close programs)
• Problems with shutting down or restarting
• Missing files
• System crashes frequently
• Pop-up windows
• New programs that appear without you downloading them
• Hard drive overworks
• Emails are sent from your account without permission
• Browser lags
• Antivirus programs or firewalls don’t work as supposed to

Protecting your Computer Against a Virus

Viruses keep evolving as we move forward with technology. Nevertheless, there are several ways you can protect your computer from a virus.

Like we already know prevention is better than cure, the best way to deal with a virus is to protect your system with antivirus like McAfee antivirus. You also need to make sure your antivirus system is up to date and your operating system, as well as your browser’s security settings, are current. Make sure you back up your data regularly on the cloud or on an external drive in case your files get infected, corrupted, or deleted, and In case if you need assistance using McAfee antivirus you can contact the McAfee support services to guide you through the process of securing your computer .

While surfing the internet, make sure to avoid clicking any links or pop-ups from unauthorized sources. Your browser may warn you when you visit questionable websites. Alternatively, you can also spot a red unlocked lock at the left of the URL of the website you are visiting, if it is unsecured. While this does not always mean the website is dangerous, you must be careful about visiting these sites without antivirus protection.

Another thing to keep in mind in order to keep yourself safe from virus infections is to never open an email or attachment unless it has been sent from a trusted sender. Hackers often use a friends name as the sender or use “Re” in order to trick you into opening the email, be mindful of that and always check the actual email address to see if you recognize it.

Moreover, avoid downloading software, movies, music, and other applications from untrusted sites.

Lastly, avoid connecting with public wifi unless you have a VPN.

How to Get Rid of Virus

If you think your system is infected with a virus, run a full scan of the computer using your antivirus software. Review the report and remove the virus-infected files with the help of your antivirus software. If you find yourself unable to delete the files, try restoring your computer to a previous back-up.

You can also try and delete all the temporary files on your computer. Different systems have different methods of deleting temporary files. If you are unable to delete files, try to reboot your computer in safe mode. Safe mode prevents certain programs from gaining access to your activity, so you can fix the issues without any hindrance.

In a few cases, you will have to reinstall your operating system. You can take your device to a local computer repair shop to have your computer formatted and installed with a new OS.