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  4. How to Clean a Virus-Infected Computer

How to Clean a Virus-Infected Computer

March 31, 2015
By: Techwalla Contributor
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Computer viruses are insidious, sneaky and--like their biological counterparts--constantly mutating. If you think your computer has been infected, the only safe course of action is to use a good anti-virus program.

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Step

As soon as you suspect that your computer has a virus, remove your computer from any networks it might be on, as well as from the Internet, so that you don't inadvertently spread the bug to others. Unplug your network cable if you have to.

Step

If you have virus-scanning (anti-virus) software installed, run it.

Step

If you don't have anti-virus software, you'll need to obtain some. If you can't get it from a network administrator or download it from an uninfected computer, you can mail-order it from a retailer.

Step

Start your computer (still not connected to a network) and follow the instructions that came with the anti-virus software.

Step

Keep running the virus-scanning software until your computer comes up clean.

Step

Reconnect your computer to the Internet and check with the anti-virus software's publisher to make sure you have the latest updates. If not, download them now.

Step

After updating the anti-virus software, run it again until your computer comes up clean.

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