Dragnskull
Retired Staff
So that great Norton software didn't work out for you huh? well no fears, after reading this you should be able to remove the virus yourself.
First off, you need to know what a virus is.
A virus is a malicious (evil) software that once put into a users PC, can do multiple things. It may replicate itself, it may eat up resources, it might even destroy your Operating System.
The first step is knowing the different kinds of malicious software.
-Worm: this is a virus that eats through your computer, taking out data here and there, possibly for personal gain, or maybe just to be evil.
-Trojan: this is a program that will allow the end user to see and control your computer any time your on the internet. This is whats used when you get an account hacked, or your CC number stolen.
-Spyware: This is a program that sends data out to companies letting them know what you do, possibly gathering information over what you browse online, or how you react with your computer
-Adware: along with spyware normally comes adware, this is software that creates advertisements that show up on your computer. That annoying popup that asks you to buy this latest product that -always- shows up once you sign online? thank this guy.
How to remove this stuff from your computer:
If you read my post earlier about computer saftey, then you shouldn't run into much of this very often, but here are a few tips to make sure, along with what to do if they DO get into your system.
1. Scan your computer with your protection software (Adware, Spybot, and AVG are great free items) at least once a month.
2. ALWAYS make sure your protection software is updated.
3. Never stop a scan if it is on a timer.
If you still managed to get a virus, and your antivirus software cant get it out, don't worry, you don't have to shell out 250 bucks to geeksquad yet.
First off. From the point of contact with the virus (ie when you discover it) do not put any information into your computer that you don't want others knowing. This means passwords, Credit Card information, don't even check your email.
Second, Grab a pen and paper, find out everything you can about this program. You can use notepad but if you have a virus theres a chance your system might crash at some point, causing you to lose everything you found out if you didn't save it. Write down everything you can about the virus. If you get an error messege, write it down. If your antivirus sees the virus, but cant clean it, it should at least tell you the name of it, write it down.
Third, open up google. if you found the name of the virus then great, type it in. More than likely one of the first links will be information about it, along with how to remove it.
If it doesnt, then try this exaple:
Lets say the virus name is Happytrojan223.exe
Google (with the quotes) "Happytrojan223.exe" +Remove
theres about a 99.9% chance you're not the first to get this virus, and about 90% chance someone has given information on how to completely remove it.
Fourth, Once you find the instructions on how to remove it, FOLLOW THEM EXACTLY. Often times, self removal of a virus will involve registry edits. This is dangerous if done wrong, always read the comments (if any) to make sure no one is saying something is wrong in the instructions. As long as it looks okay from that point, begin to follow the instructions. do -exactly- what they say and you should be fine.
A last note: Google is your friend, if you get any error messages, type them into google, you will probably find information with exactly what the error is. If google doesn't show any results, try to cut out the usless words and only leave the most keywords in, file names, numbers, things of that nature, but common words like "a" and "the" could be removed, they are just making it harder to match up.
With that information, you should be able to remove most viruses from your computer without paying 250+ to geeksquad, or any other headless company. Good luck.
First off, you need to know what a virus is.
A virus is a malicious (evil) software that once put into a users PC, can do multiple things. It may replicate itself, it may eat up resources, it might even destroy your Operating System.
The first step is knowing the different kinds of malicious software.
-Worm: this is a virus that eats through your computer, taking out data here and there, possibly for personal gain, or maybe just to be evil.
-Trojan: this is a program that will allow the end user to see and control your computer any time your on the internet. This is whats used when you get an account hacked, or your CC number stolen.
-Spyware: This is a program that sends data out to companies letting them know what you do, possibly gathering information over what you browse online, or how you react with your computer
-Adware: along with spyware normally comes adware, this is software that creates advertisements that show up on your computer. That annoying popup that asks you to buy this latest product that -always- shows up once you sign online? thank this guy.
How to remove this stuff from your computer:
If you read my post earlier about computer saftey, then you shouldn't run into much of this very often, but here are a few tips to make sure, along with what to do if they DO get into your system.
1. Scan your computer with your protection software (Adware, Spybot, and AVG are great free items) at least once a month.
2. ALWAYS make sure your protection software is updated.
3. Never stop a scan if it is on a timer.
If you still managed to get a virus, and your antivirus software cant get it out, don't worry, you don't have to shell out 250 bucks to geeksquad yet.
First off. From the point of contact with the virus (ie when you discover it) do not put any information into your computer that you don't want others knowing. This means passwords, Credit Card information, don't even check your email.
Second, Grab a pen and paper, find out everything you can about this program. You can use notepad but if you have a virus theres a chance your system might crash at some point, causing you to lose everything you found out if you didn't save it. Write down everything you can about the virus. If you get an error messege, write it down. If your antivirus sees the virus, but cant clean it, it should at least tell you the name of it, write it down.
Third, open up google. if you found the name of the virus then great, type it in. More than likely one of the first links will be information about it, along with how to remove it.
If it doesnt, then try this exaple:
Lets say the virus name is Happytrojan223.exe
Google (with the quotes) "Happytrojan223.exe" +Remove
theres about a 99.9% chance you're not the first to get this virus, and about 90% chance someone has given information on how to completely remove it.
Fourth, Once you find the instructions on how to remove it, FOLLOW THEM EXACTLY. Often times, self removal of a virus will involve registry edits. This is dangerous if done wrong, always read the comments (if any) to make sure no one is saying something is wrong in the instructions. As long as it looks okay from that point, begin to follow the instructions. do -exactly- what they say and you should be fine.
A last note: Google is your friend, if you get any error messages, type them into google, you will probably find information with exactly what the error is. If google doesn't show any results, try to cut out the usless words and only leave the most keywords in, file names, numbers, things of that nature, but common words like "a" and "the" could be removed, they are just making it harder to match up.
With that information, you should be able to remove most viruses from your computer without paying 250+ to geeksquad, or any other headless company. Good luck.
