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Removing a virus can be a daunting task even for an experienced computer professional. Fortunately with the right information, you can eliminate the virus infection from your computer.
Steps in removing viruses:
1. Reboot your computer into safe mode with networking.
Safe mode is a diagnostic mode that Windows operating system can start in for troubleshooting purposes. When you select safe mode with networking, you should have connection to the Internet which will enable you to download the latest virus definition for your antivirus program. For information on how to boot into safe mode with networking, visit: http://www.computerhope.com/issues/chsafe.htm#01.
2. Scan your computer using an antivirus program.
If you have an antivirus program installed in your computer (Charter Security Suite™, Norton®, McAfee®, AVG®,etc.), download the latest virus definition first before running the scan on your pc. If your antivirus is expired, you will not be able to download the latest virus definition and it is recommended that you do not scan your pc with an expired antivirus program. Contact the antivirus vendor for additional information.
Note: If you purchased the computer over a year ago, you may need to re-subscribe to the antivirus software or install new antivirus software. Once the subscription ends, the software will still be on your computer, however you will no longer receive the latest virus definition updates. Most antivirus software companies charge a fee to renew the subscription. In addition, Charter offers an antivirus suite which you can download if your previous antivirus program is expired or if you do not have an antivirus installed. Click here for more information and to download the Charter Security Suite.
3. Scan your computer using an online virus scan.
If you don’t have antivirus program installed or if it’s expired, you can scan your pc using an online virus scan. Below is a list of the most popular online scans:
Note: The online virus scan will only work if you have Internet connectivity. If you don’t have Internet connection, call Charter at 1-888-GET-CHARTER for assistance.
4. Manually remove virus.
Not all viruses can be removed by a local or online virus scan, so manual removal of the virus may be required. If you know the name of the virus that is infecting your computer, perform an online search using Google®, Yahoo®, etc. with the key words of "removal" and the name of the virus. You will find a wealth of information on how to manually remove the virus.
Many antivirus companies provide removal tools to remove a specific virus. Below is a list of the most popular virus removal tools.
Note: Manually removing a virus can be a tedious and a difficult task. If you do not feel comfortable with the process, take your computer to a professional for cleaning.
5. Download the latest security updates for your operating system.
Windows operating system is known to have security holes. Make sure that you constantly download Windows update to patch the security holes. To manually download the Windows updates visit: http://update.microsoft.com/windowsupdate/v6/default.aspx?ln=en-us.
6. Perform a local virus scan using an emergency rescue disk.
Many antivirus programs allow you to create an emergency rescue disk to use in the event your computer becomes infected. When you boot from your rescue disk, the antivirus program will scan your computer for viruses before your operating system loads. Performing this process will give your antivirus program access to files that may have been locked by the operating system. Refer to your antivirus help files for assistance with creating an emergency disk or contact the antivirus vendor.
7. Reformat and reinstall your operating system.
Reformatting your hard drive will remove most viruses but it will also delete all of your personal files. It is recommended that you save your data on a cd or usb jump drive for all your personal files that’s stored in your hard drive. Due to the data loss involved with this process, this step should only be used as a last resort. Before you begin this process, have your operating system or restore disk handy and contact your pc manufacture for assistance.
The key to a healthy computer is to make sure that you have all the necessary programs installed to protect your pc and educating yourself on the do’s and don’ts when surfing the Internet. Click Here to learn more on how to safely surf the Internet.
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