If your computer is infected with a virus

By Catalogs Editorial Staff

When your computer is infected with a virus, you need to act fast

When a virus infects your computer, the machine exhibits all sorts of strange things. Not only is this frustrating, but it can also be dangerous to your privacy. When your personal information lands in the wrong hands, you could lose money and a host of other important items, like your social security number.

Signs of a Virus

Over time, your PC or laptop becomes slower and not act like it used to. However, these same characteristics often indicate of a malicious bug.

When computers become slow and freeze, there’s a chance they are infected. The cause is a bug using up so much of your machine’s memory that it drags. The reduced pace could also be caused by the malicious program erasing your files and doing some serious damage to your system.

Suddenly not being able to use your printer indicates a sign of having an infection. Additionally, not being able to access your discs or disc drive foretells virus issues. Both are not only irritating, but extremely inconvenient.

If pop up ads seem to be invading your screen, there’s a good chance you’ve got a problem. These bugs are pretty crafty too, as many of the pop up ads advertise anti-virus software and tell you that your computer is infected. However, this is often a ploy to get your credit card number, so don’t fall into the trap.

Infections can also make your computer look distorted. Dialog boxes, text and other features on your PC or laptop can be affected by the bug and make things look weird. Additionally, infections can also cause error messages to occur frequently.

Checking For a Virus

If you are suspicious your computer is being attacked, you’ll need to find out as soon as possible to hopefully avoid experiencing issues because of it. Fortunately, finding out if you do have a bug is fairly simple.

In order to know for sure, you need to run an anti-virus scan using software. This is a program that checks the drives and files in your computer for malicious items that are only there to do your system harm.

Some computers come with such scans. Additionally, internet providers often offer the scans at little to no charge. However, you can also purchase this type of software through the Internet or at a computer store.

Before you buy such a program, you must ensure its safety. Some companies will actually sell damaging software under the premise that it is actually just checking your laptop or PC for the bugs. Only purchase programs that are made from reputable companies and sold by vendors you trust.

Simply running scans finds these trojan, bot and spyware problems. A box shows up on the screen telling you what areas of your computer are being checked and what was found, if anything.

Removing a Virus

If your program has detected a problem, you need to resolve it immediately. The longer this infection stays on your system, the more time it has to wreak havoc.

These scanning programs are often able to remove the malicious software themselves. If the scan finds any issues, it will likely give you the option of quarantining and removing the problem. If so, select this feature and your computer will probably become healthy again.

If you are unable to remove the bug on your own, you may need to hire a computer professional to do this task for you. Such people are typically familiar with all the different types of bugs and are able to remove the problem. It may cost you a good amount, but likely worth it.

Being proactive is key when a virus infects your computer. Working quickly can often prevent your system from becoming severely damaged, and your privacy from becoming compromised.

Resources:

Computer Doctors: 10 Signs Your Computer Has a Virus

Microsoft: How Can I Tell if My Computer Has a Virus?