Best Steps to Follow to Get Rid of Virus

There are a few steps involved in removing a computer virus as follows:

Search for a Removal Tool

The removal tool will be a small piece of software which you will download, install, and run in an attempt to destroy computer viruses or get rid of virus code. The utility searches specifically for the virus in question and executes measures to remove it. Normally a set of instructions on the tool's use will be available on the download page. Read the instructions and if necessary print them out.

You want to make sure you've done everything on the instruction list to insure that the tool has done its job and removed the malicious code - and hopefully repaired any damage it may have caused. After you have used the removal tool, run your antivirus program again to make sure the infection is indeed gone. If no removal tool is available, you may be faced with working through a set of manual removal instructions.

Remove the Virus Manually

If your antivirus software cannot remove or quarantine the virus and there is no removal tool available for download, your online search for the name of the virus may yield a set of instructions on how to manually remove the virus. Think carefully before you begin to follow the instructions.

Do you understand what they are asking you to do? Do you feel comfortable following the instructions? Or is this a procedure that is over your head? Be honest. If you are not comfortable attempting to manually remove the virus from your system, get some help. Either reach out to a friend who has more computer knowledge than you possess or hire a professional. Don't run the risk of making the virus infection and its potential for damage worse by trying to perform countermeasures beyond your skill level.

Can an Email Worm be Stopped Before It Executes?

Regrettably most computer viruses, especially worms transmitted by email, deploy so quickly that no human can react fast enough to stop the code from executing. If you do open an email attachment that immediately arouses your suspicion, remember that worms propagate by gathering email addresses and mailing themselves out. Immediately disconnect your computer from the Internet. You may not be able to prevent infection of your own machine but perhaps you can save others from the same problem.

Exercising good judgment and careful email and Internet habits are key in protecting your system from potential viral contamination. Don't open suspicious attachments, or any attachments for that matter. If the material seems to be originating from a known correspondent, send that person an email asking if they did send the attachment and if so what is it - file type and content. Never open an attachment that has the extension .vbs or .exe.

Vigilance against virus infections and intelligent informed action in the face of contamination are key in efforts to get rid of spyware, virus code, and other malicious software. If your antivirus software cannot get rid of virus contamination, a removal tool or a manually procedure will restore your computer to normal.