How to deal with computer viruses and malware, What is the Next

Computers infected with viruses or malware pose a risk to your privacy and security. Find out how to fight back.

Viruses and malware are common and can have drastically negative results on your computer and life.
You can often tell that your computer is infected because it acts weird or slow.
Active antivirus software is a good way to prevent these problems.
This article is for small business owners who are concerned their systems may be infected and want to properly address the issue.

Is your computer acting weird? Are boxes popping up on your screen, telling you your computer is infected? Are you hearing strange sounds? Your computer may have been infected with malware or a virus.

It's not always easy to determine whether your computer has become infected with a virus, worm, Trojan, or spyware; authors of malicious software do their best to disguise their work. However, you can look out for certain signs that your computer is infected.

The negative impact of a computer infection

A virus or malware always has a negative impact, but the degree of that impact depends on the type and scope of the infection. Here are some of the possible consequences of a computer infection:

Loss of performance. Malware can make your computer process things more slowly. That means it may take increasingly longer for you to get work done or just look up a quick fact.
Loss of functionality. In extreme cases, the virus can degrade your computer performance or programming so badly that you can no longer use your machine.
Exposure to other negative software. The purpose of some malware is to entice you to download even more dangerous software.
Loss of information. Viruses might delete stored files or data.
Breach of privacy. In some cases, viruses seek to gather personal information about you for identity theft or fraud. This can result in financial losses if your accounts are breached.

Key takeaway: A computer infection can cripple your operations with a loss of performance, functionality, and information. It can also result in a breach of privacy and exposure to other negative software.

Types of computer infections

According to cybersecurity company Kaspersky, things you don't want on your computer include viruses and all types of malware and spyware. Here are some common threats:

Viruses are designed to attack your system. They spread from machine to machine via shared links and uploaded and downloaded files. People spread these programs when they link and share carelessly and don't use the right antivirus protection.
Worms, which are similar to viruses. These programs don't need help from people to spread. They're programmed to move across computer networks on their own.
Adware, spyware, and ransomware. These programs are designed to track what you do online, gather data about you, and even steal your data and hold it hostage.

Key takeaway: Several types of malware and spyware can cause significant damage to your system, including viruses, worms, adware, and ransomware.

How to deal with computer viruses and malware

Maintain your installed programs.

One of the main ways viruses gain access to a system is through security lapses in existing software. Therefore, as the first step to prevent your computer from getting infected in the first place, you should make sure your applications, antivirus software, and operating system are up to date. This is doubly important when it comes to your operating system since Apple, Microsoft and other providers regularly release security patches to deal with potential weaknesses. You can also reduce the number of potential vulnerabilities for cybercriminals to exploit by uninstalling applications you don't use.

Only install one antivirus solution.

It may seem wise to have multiple layers of antivirus protection on your computer, but this is a case of "less is more." If you have more than one antivirus software program installed on your machine, you run the risk of them canceling each other out because each thinks the other is a virus. This can result in limited antivirus protection at best, file corruption at worst.

Automate virus scans.

You don't always have to be beside your computer when it conducts a virus scan. Most modern antivirus software has automation features that let you set a specific time for the computer to conduct its virus scan. By setting the process for a time where you don't need to use the computer – like when you're sleeping – you can make sure your system is safe without it hindering your productivity.

Pop those pop-ups.

If you're dealing with rogue pop-ups on your computer, you can take these steps to address them, according to Kaspersky:

Go into the Task Manager and stop the process that's running the pop-up.

- Windows users can hit the Ctrl, Alt, and Delete keys at the same time to find the Task Manager quickly.
- Mac users can go to the Apple menu on the top left and select Force Quit to find it.
- Note that this doesn't remove the infection.

Next, you should install and/or run antivirus software to fix the problem, if possible.

Restart your computer in safe mode.

Starting your computer in safe mode gives you a chance to run your antivirus software and take a closer look at what the issue may be. Begin by rebooting the computer. On a Windows PC, press and hold F8 as soon as the reboot begins. Then, choose safe mode from the menu that appears. On a Mac, hold down the Shift key while rebooting. Then, perform an antivirus scan to eliminate any other potential infections.

Boot from a rescue CD.

Some types of malware can destroy antivirus software. When that happens, you can create a Linux-based rescue CD to reboot your computer. It will disinfect and repair corrupted files. Most major antivirus software makers offer the files for free; all you need is access to another PC with a broadband connection and a CD burner. Without a CD drive, this option won't work for you.

Check your antivirus vendor's website.

Antivirus companies keep up with virus and malware trends. They often offer advice on how to deal with specific malicious programs in educational materials on their websites.

Take action depending on the malware you have.

Multiple types of malware can cause major problems for any machine. If you can identify what you're dealing with, whether it's ransomware or crime ware, you may be able to take specific steps to foil the program. For example, Norton suggests disconnecting from the internet immediately if you believe you've fallen prey to crime ware.

Key takeaway: There are many ways you can respond to a virus or malware infection on your computer system. By acting calmly and quickly, you could reduce the risks and damage a computer virus or piece of malware can cause.

Source interviews were conducted for a previous version of this article.