Your computer is acting up and you don’t know why. You’ve checked the cables. You’ve checked the drivers. You’ve updated your software. Unfortunately, bizarre system behavior often indicates a computer virus. So if your computer won’t start up, is running slowly and keeps freezing, a virus may have infected the system. There are ways to cure this virus, but they don’t always work and they’re not always easy. Test the following ideas before giving up completely.
- Check for virus updates. If you’re already running anti-virus software, try updating it and running it again. Because new viruses are created every day, if you don’t update the software regularly, you’re leaving yourself unprotected. Run the anti-virus program. If a virus is detected, you have the option of deleting it. Restart your computer and run the program once more to determine if the virus was successfully removed.
- Start the system in safe mode. If it’s a tricky virus and can’t be removed by your software, try re-running it using your computer’s safe mode. Safe mode allows you to use the bare bones of the operating system, which eliminates possible infection sites.
- Search Internet security firms for virus information. If your anti-virus software detects but cannot delete your particular virus, you can look that virus up on various Internet security firm websites to uncover where that specific virus tends to lodge itself. The website will explain how to find the location on your computer.
You can prevent computer viruses by running your anti-virus software daily and keeping it updated. Ridding your computer registry and application of clutter is another preventative measure. If viruses don’t have ways to attack, they won’t. If you can’t shake a virus, call a professional.