Detecting and Eliminating Computer viruses
If your computer has been plagued with pop up windows and if you have found a rather large amount of spyware on your computer it is quite likely you have at least a few viruses as well. Many viruses target the more popular Anti Virus programs and disable them, making them useless. If your Anti Virus program is out of date and/or if the definitions are not current it is most likely useless. If you are not sure if you are using the most current version, check the manufacturers web site or call and ask. It is important to be sure. Use the update feature to update your definitions. We have found at PC Technical that even if you have a current Anti Virus and up to date definitions, if you have a lot of spyware almost always there are some viruses with it. To make sure we recommend not just an Anti Virus program, but running 2 online scans, then a scan with your current Anti Virus. This does take some time, but when you are done you can be fairly confident your machine is virus free.
Go to http://www.commandondemand.com/eval/cod. This site will want to install some files and an active X program. Let them install. When finished installing, make sure you choose to Automatically disinfect and Scan Compressed files. Now run the scan. If it finishes and shows no infected files, infected files but healed them or shows infected files but has deleted them go to step 2. If you have a lot of infected files that can not be cleaned or disinfected you will need more help than can be offered here. You can call us at 1-866-524-8801 and we will attempt to give you further information. There is a minimum $30 charge and more if it takes a long time and you may still need to take it to a professional. You may want to try step 2 then repeat this scan first, as the second scan sometimes will eliminate the virus.
Go to http://housecall.trendmicro.com/. Choose Scan. The only information you need to provide is what country you are in. Let the program install and run the scan. If the previous scan came up clean and this one came up clean, you can be reasonably certain your system is clean of viruses. If either scans revealed virus activity, restart your system, return to this page and run both scans again. Many viruses hide themselves if files or in the registry and can reinstall themselves on restart, making a restart and another scan very important. If you still see virus activity, you may need professional help. You can call us at 1-866-524-8801 and we will attempt to give you further information. There is a minimum $30 charge and more if it takes a long time and you may still need to take it to a professional.
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Now run a scan with
your Anti Virus. Make sure your program and definitions are
current. If you need an Anti Virus, PC Technical recommends AVG
professional at http://www.grisoft.com. Now let your Anti Virus run a
complete scan. If the previous 2 scans came up clean, healed or deleted
infected files then this scan should be clean. If it is you are done. If
you have found any viruses, you may want to run these scans again until
they all come up clean.
If you keep spyware off your system, update your Anti Virus often and let it scan often your Anti Virus should be enough. If you ever suspect your Anti Virus is not catching a virus return to the previous sites.
