How Do Computer Viruses Work? Total Security

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How Do Computer Viruses Work? Total Security


Are you worried about a virus on your computer? If your computer is infected, then it is important to know how to get rid of the computer virus.


How to get rid of a computer virus.

What is a computer virus?

How to identify a computer virus on your computer.

Can your computer get infected with a virus via email?

How to protect your computer from viruses.

How to get rid of a computer virus

In this section, we will discuss how to remove a computer virus from a Windows computer and a Mac computer.


Removing a computer virus from a Windows computer

Computer viruses are almost never seen. Without antivirus protection, you may not even be aware of the existence of a virus on your computer. This is why it is important to install antivirus protection on all of your devices.


If you have a virus on your Windows computer, you need to follow these ten easy steps to get rid of it:

Step 1: Download and install antivirus scanner

Download an antivirus scanner or Internet Security class solution. We recommend using Internet Security. The installation process is shown in the following video:

Step 2: Disconnect from the Internet

When removing a virus from a computer, it is advisable to disconnect from the Internet in order to prevent further spread of the threat: some computer viruses spread over the Internet.


Step 3: Restart your PC in Safe Mode

To protect your computer while removing the virus, restart your computer in Safe Mode. If you do not know how to do this, then below are instructions.


Turn off your computer and turn it on again

When the image appears on the screen, press F8 to bring up the "Advanced Boot Options" menu

Select "Safe Mode with Networking"

Stay disconnected from the internet

Step 4: Remove all temporary files

Next, you need to delete all temporary files using the Disk Cleanup utility.


Follow the next steps:


Click on the Windows logo in the lower right corner

Enter “Temporary Files”

Select "Free up disk space by deleting unnecessary files" (delete unnecessary files to free up disk space)

In the Disk Cleanup list "Files to delete" find and select "Temporary Internet Files" and click "OK"

Confirm "Delete Files" selection

Some viruses take effect when you restart your computer. Removing temporary files can remove the virus. However, relying on this alone is not reliable. To make sure your computer is free of viruses, we recommend following the steps below.


Step 5: Run a virus scan

Now it's time to open your antivirus or Internet Security class solution and run a virus scan. If you are using Internet Security, select and click on the 'Start scan' button.


Internet Security Scan


Step 6: Remove the virus or quarantine it

If a virus is found, multiple files may be affected. Select “Delete” or “Quarantine” to get rid of the virus. Run the scan of your computer again to make sure there are no other threats left. If other threats are found, quarantine or delete them.


Step 7: Reboot your computer

Now, after removing the virus, you can restart your computer. Just turn it on as usual. Safe Mode is no longer needed.


Step 8: change all passwords

To protect your computer from further attacks, change all passwords in case they are compromised. This is only necessary if you have a reason to believe that your passwords were stolen by malware, but it doesn't hurt to play it safe in any case.


You can always check the functionality of the virus on the website of your antivirus manufacturer or by contacting their technical support group.


Step 9: Update your software, browser and operating system

Updating your software, browser and the operating system will reduce the risk of cybercriminals exploiting holes in old code to install malware on your computer.


Removing a computer virus from your Mac

If you have a Mac computer, you may feel that your computer cannot get a virus. Unfortunately, this is a misconception. For Mac, compared to Windows, fewer viruses are created, but they do exist.


Some Mac viruses disguise themselves as antivirus products. If you accidentally download one of these viruses, then your computer may be infected. Three examples of this type of virus are: 'MacDefender', 'MacProtector' and 'MacSecurity'.


Group of people using laptops and mobile devices


If you think your Mac has a virus, you need to follow these six steps to remove it:


Exit the application or software product that you think is infected.

Open System Monitor and scan for known Mac viruses such as MacDefender, MacProtector, and MacSecurity.

If any of these viruses are found, click Stop-Process, then close System Monitor.

Then open the Applications folder and drag the file to the Trash.

Don't forget to empty the Trash later to remove the virus permanently.

Make sure your software and applications are updated to the latest versions - this way you will install the latest security updates.

To make sure you haven't missed anything and make sure your Mac is protected, consider installing and running an antivirus solution if you don't already have one. We recommend using a comprehensive Internet security solution such as Total Security.


What is a computer virus?

A computer virus is a type of malware, the distinguishing feature of which is its self-replication - it copies itself to any medium that is connected to the computer.


Computer viruses are so-called because, by analogy with real viruses, they are able to reproduce themselves. After the virus infects your computer, it spreads itself in this way. When infected with a virus, your computer may start to run slower and may be interrupted.


There are three main ways in which your computer can become infected with a computer virus.


First, the computer can become infected through removable media such as USB sticks. If you insert a USB flash drive or disk obtained from unknown sources into your computer, then it may contain a virus.


Sometimes hackers leave infected flash drives or disks on people's desktops or in public places, such as cafes, in order to spread a computer virus in this way. People who share USB drives can also transfer files from an infected computer to an uninfected one using this method.


Another way to infect your computer with a virus is to download the virus from the Internet.


If you download software or applications to your computer, be sure to get them from trusted sources such as Google Play or Apple's App Store. Don't download anything from pop-ups or websites you don't know about.


The third possible way to infect your computer with a virus is by opening an attachment or clicking on a link in a spam message that you received by mail.


If you receive email messages from a sender you don't know or trust, do not open those messages. When opening such a message, do not open any attachments or click on links.


Signs that you have a virus on your computer

There are several signs that a virus has started up on your computer.


First, you should be alerted if your computer starts to slow down. If the tasks take longer than usual, then your computer may be infected.


Secondly, be careful when suspicious applications or programs that you do not know about appear on your computer. If you notice that an application or program appears on your computer that you did not download, be careful.


It is advisable to remove all programs on your computer that you do not know, and then run a scan in antivirus or Internet Security class device to check your computer for threats. If pop-ups appear when you close your browser, this is a sure sign that your computer is infected with a virus. If you notice this, take action immediately to remove the virus. To do this, follow the instructions given above.


Frustrated man on a laptop browsing


Another sign of a possible virus infection on your computer is the strange behaviour of applications or programs. If programs begin to terminate abnormally for some unknown reason, then a virus may have started on your computer.


Finally, the infected computer may start to overheat. If you notice this, check your computer for viruses by running an antivirus or an Internet Security class solution.


How can a computer get a virus via email?

Your computer can become infected with a virus via email, but only if you open an attachment in a spam message or click on a link in such a message.


Your computer cannot get infected just because you receive spam in the mail. When you receive such messages, mark them as spam or junk and be sure to erase them. Most email service providers (such as Gmail) automate this process, but if any unsolicited messages do leak, manually mark them as spam and do not open them.


How to protect your computer from viruses

Here are the main ways that you can protect your computer from viruses:


Use an antivirus or an Internet Security class solution such as  Total Security. To protect your Android mobile device, consider Internet Security for Android.

Review user reviews of applications and software products.

Before downloading applications and software, read the description from the developers.

Download apps and software only from trusted sites.

Check how many times apps and software have been downloaded. The more downloads the better.

Check the permissions that apps and programs are asking for. How reasonable are they?

Never click on unverified links in spam, mail, and unfamiliar websites.

Do not open attachments in spam emails.

Keep your software, applications and operating system up to date.

When using public Wi-Fi networks, use a secure VPN connection, such as Secure Connection.

Never connect unknown USB flash drives to your computer, do not insert unknown disks.

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