Removing a Virus or Malware Made Easy Guide

If you are infected with any kind of virus or malware, here are the steps you must take.

Step 1. GET ACCESS TO YOUR COMPUTER
If you cannot access your computer due to a fake antivirus program you must start the computer in safe mode. You may also skip to Step 2 and try it without going into safe mode. When your computer is booting, (before windows starts) keep pressing F8 until you get a screen where you must make a selection. Select “Safe Mode with Networking”.

Step 2. KILL THE FAKE ANTIVIRUS
If the fake antivirus is still there you must do CTRL ALT DEL to bring up the task manager and go to Services. Look for any program that might be the fake antivirus and end the process. If you are unsure, just start ending all of them until you find the one that kills the fake antivirus. If something goes wrong you can always start this process over. You can not harm anything by ending the processes.
If you do not see any icons or start menu then when you are in the task manager go to File -> New Task and type in C:\windows\explorer.exe
This will start the GUI for windows.

Step 3. GET ON THE INTERNET
Open Internet Explorer and see if you can get on the internet. If you can’t, go to “Tools” ->” Internet Options” and then go to the “Connections” tab. Once there click on “LAN Settings”. The only box that should be checked is “Auto Detect Settings”. Uncheck everything else. This should allow you to get on the internet. If you still cannot get on the internet make sure you are plugged directly into the router with a cable and not using wireless.

Step 4. INSTALL MALWAREBYTES

Go to http://malwarebytes.org/and install the free version. Make sure you run the update before scanning. Once it is updated, run a quick scan. When it is finished, remove everything it finds. You will need to reboot after. Once it reboots you should be able to access your computer as normal.

Step 5. PREVENTION
Install these programs and follow some safety steps to stay free of viruses and malware.

1. Buy and install either ESET Smart Security or Kaspersky Internet Security.
2. Buy Malwarebytes which you already have installed. Yes this program does have a free version but it will not stop infections. The paid version runs real-time and will stop infections before they get into your computer.

3. Run full scans with both software programs.
4. Don’t click on pop-ups no matter what they say. Some will never go away. The best thing to do in this case is reboot or go into task manager and end the application. These are how most of the infections get installed. Clicking on them is telling them to install on your computer.
5. Make sure you windows updates are up to date.

This should take care of most of the threats out there. If you still can’t get it fixed your best bet is to take it to a local computer repair shop like Orlando Computer Repair.