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What If Your Computer Gets a Virus?

How to handle a virus on your computer

By Lavender Published 3 years ago 3 min read
What If Your Computer Gets a Virus?
Photo by KOBU Agency on Unsplash

A computer virus is a malicious software program that can damage or disrupt your computer system, steal your personal information, and cause other harm. Although a virus can seriously harm your computer and compromise your personal information, so what do you do?, get an antivirus.

What is antivirus?

An antivirus (or anti-virus) is a software program designed to detect, prevent, and remove computer viruses and other malware from a computer system. Antivirus software works by scanning files and directories on a computer system for known viruses and other malware, and then removing or quarantining any infected files that are detected. These are steps you can take to get rid of virus and defend your computer from further attack.

The first step is to perform a virus scan using antivirus software. Most computers already have some installed, but if yours doesn't, you can easily download one online. If the scan finds a virus, it will typically quarantine the affected files and provide instructions on how to remove them safely. Make sure to carefully follow these instructions to completely remove the virus from your computer There are many antivirus software programs available on the market. Here are some of the most popular ones:

Norton Antivirus

McAfee Antivirus

Bitdefender Antivirus

Kaspersky Antivirus

Avast Antivirus

AVG Antivirus

Trend Micro Antivirus

ESET NOD32 Antivirus

Malwarebytes Antivirus

Windows Defender Antivirus (built-in Windows antivirus)

Each of these antivirus programs has its own features and benefits, so it's important to research and choose the one that best fits your needs and preferences.

It's critical to keep all of your software updated if you want to keep your computer safe from future attacks. This goes for your operating system, web browser, and any other programs or applications you use frequently. These updates frequently include security patches and fixes that can stop future vulnerabilities that viruses can exploit.

Another critical step in protecting your computer is to develop safe browsing practices. These include being watchful when downloading files or clicking on links, avoiding dubious websites, and never opening emails or attachments from unknown senders.

Use a firewall: A firewall is a network security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. It can help prevent unauthorized access to your computer system by blocking incoming traffic from malicious sources and preventing malware from communicating with remote servers.

Be cautious when opening emails and attachments: Many viruses are spread through email attachments or links in emails. It's important to be cautious when opening emails from unknown senders or downloading attachments. Before downloading an attachment or clicking on a link, verify the sender and the content of the message.

Use strong passwords: Using strong, unique passwords for all your accounts can help prevent unauthorized access to your system. A strong password should be at least eight characters long, and include a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols.

Don't download software from untrusted sources: Viruses can be spread through malicious software programs downloaded from untrusted sources. It's important to only download software from reputable sources, such as the official website of the software vendor.

Use ad-blocking software: Some viruses are spread through malicious ads on websites. Using ad-blocking software can help prevent these ads from loading, reducing the risk of infection.

Backup your data: Regularly backing up your data to an external hard drive or cloud storage service can help protect your data in case your computer system is infected with a virus. If your system becomes infected, you can restore your data from the backup without losing important files or documents.

Sure!, by following these tips, you can help protect your computer system from viruses and other malware.

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About the Creator

Lavender

"Pen-wielding wordsmith with a passion for storytelling and a penchant for crafting unforgettable tales that transport readers to other worlds."

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