How to Remove a Virus

If you suspect you have a virus (or any other malware), you should take steps immediately. Sometimes such problems occur and system slow downs due to registry errors.

Get a good registry cleaner and pc optimizer from Intel Directory. The following procedures work for most malware (except perhaps for completely new, unknown or unusually malignant strains).

It is better to complete all steps, so you can be (reasonably) sure that all traces have been removed. Signs to look out for (infections may cause one or several of the following):

• Slow computer, and/or slow internet connection.
• Strange pop-ups or web browser redirections (beyond those expected from dodgy websites).
• Program failure, or inexplicable errors (even after a fresh install).
• System functions unavailable (eg: Control Panel, Task Manager, Internet Explorer).
• System giving a "RPC error", giving a window with a 30 second countdown to a restart.
• Excessive internet cap usage, i.e high internet traffic on your computer.

Steps to follow:

1- Run your virus-scanner, but beware, many modern viruses can circumvent (or hide from) anti-virus programs. Quarantine anything suspicious.

• Make sure you are using a reputable antivirus. Some good free ones are Avira AntiVir, AVG, and Avast! NOD32 from Eset has the highest detection rate and lowest resource consumption, though it is not free.

2- Install Malware-bytes and update it. Don't scan for malware yet. *note: If you wont to be extra cautious download from malware-bytes from the official website at Malwarebytes.org.

3- Depending on the Virus you might not be able to install any software or do updates, if this is the case skip to step 6 else continue to step 5.

4- Reboot into Safe Mode - Restart your computer and press F8 before Windows loads. Press F8 several times if you need to. Select Safe Mode from the resulting menu. Safe Mode disables much of the startup routine (including some common Malware hiding places). (Continue to step 8).

5- Reboot your system and get into "Safe Mode with Networking" this is done when you are turning on your system. Press F8 several times just after the POST screen is displayed, a list will appear. Select "Safe Mode with Networking".

6- Once in safe mode with networking; install, update and run the anti-virus software.

7- Run your Malware Scanners - Run both the scanners sequentially, deleting any references found.

8- After all this if the Virus scan does not work, if it freezes up. I personally suggest using a GData Boot Disc and booting off that and running a GData Virus Scan. After that scan completes try a Safe Mode Virus scan.

9- No one internet security is 100% run multiple scans, sometimes the same Internet security will not pick up the virus in the first scan.

10- Final step if GData Boot Disc does not work.

11- Remove your HDD/SSD from your Laptop or Computer and plug it into another PC that already has Malware-bytes installed, Do not browse the HDD when you plug it in. Right Click and select "scan with Malware-btyes".

12- If that finally step does not work, then i would say your HDD is faulty. Run HDD Diagnostics.

Tips:

• If you are unsure, DON'T DO IT.
• If these steps are difficult to follow or impossible to achieve, please call a computer service professional.
• Booting in Safe Mode is especially important if the malware is difficult to remove normally.
• If this method fails to clean your computer, download HijackThis, run and save a log, and then post the log to a reputable security forum such as BleepingComputer or GeekstoGo.
• Always keep and run backups, Total Care Internet Security programs always provide backup features in this current day and age. GData Total Care and Norten360 both provide a scheduled Backup utility.

Warnings:

• It is always safer to call on a computer expert to perform procedures that you are not sure about.
• There is always a chance that you could disable your system and lose valuable data.
• Removing malware often takes hours, days, or even weeks.
• Be sure you have plenty of time available.
• Securely wipe your free space with file shredding software after the removal is complete to avoid unauthorized or bad people restoring the deleted virus file with any data recovery software.

Source: WikiHow.com