Virus removal refers to the process of automatically or manually disinfecting or deleting a computer virus, malware or any other malicious program on a computing device. The process is employed to shield a computer from possible data loss, corruption, or system inaccessibility.
A system virus removal follows the virus scan phase, which detects the virus and threat level. The virus can also be manually deleted, but this will need a strong understanding of viruses and the correct skills to reverse or remove registry entries. The user receives a failure message if a virus cannot be deleted.
Virus Protection
Virus protection software has been designed to prevent viruses, Trojan horses and worms from getting onto a computer and also to remove any malicious software code that has already infected a computer.
Most virus protection utilities bundle anti-malware and anti-spyware capabilities to go along with anti-virus protection. Internet security suites go one step further by including additional capabilities like anti-phishing, firewall, anti-spam, PC optimization, and file protection.
5 Tips To Get Virus Protection
1. Ensure to always keep your security software active and updated New viruses are released almost every day and hence there is always a chance for your computer to get infected by a virus that your antivirus software does not yet “know” about.
2. Regularly update all your software You need to keep your computer’s operating system and other software updated because viruses often propagate by exploiting flaws in operating systems or commonly used programs. Whenever possible, configure your computer to download and install important updates automatically.
3. Deal with e-mail carefully Viruses are often propagated through e-mail attachments. Do not open attachments unless you are reasonably sure the e-mail is a genuine one
4. Only use e-mail services capable of scanning messages for viruses
5. Refrain from installing spyware and other software that may open backdoors which can be exploited
6 Common Types Of Computer Viruses
Some of the common types of viruses include:
1. Direct Action Virus: This virus is “non-resident” and functions by selecting one or more files to infect each time the code gets executed. the code gets executed. The main aim here is to copy itself and spread infection whenever the code gets executed.
2. Boot Sector Virus: This virus infects computer systems by copying code either to the partition table on a hard drive or the boot sector on a floppy disk. During startup, the virus gets loaded into memory. Following this process, the virus will infect any non-infected disks accessed by the system.
3. Macro Virus: This virus is written in a macro language and infects Microsoft Word or similar applications and causes a sequence of actions to be executed automatically when the application is started or if it gets triggered by something else.
4. Memory Resident Virus: Stays in memory after it executes and after its host program is terminated. On the other hand, non-memory-resident viruses are activated when an infected application runs.
5. Overwriting Virus: Copies its own code over the host computer system’s file data, which destroys the original program.
6. Cluster Virus: This virus links itself with the execution of programs by altering directory table entries in order to ensure that the virus itself will start when any program on the computer system is started. If infected by this virus, it will look as if all programs on your PC are infected; however, this virus is just in one place on the system.
Virus Protection Vs Virus Removal
Virus protection software or antivirus software has been designed mainly to prevent infection, however, this software can also remove malware from an infected computer. Stand-alone system virus removal software or a malware remover provides a suitable way to find and remove malware from a computer in case the product already installed fails to do so.
Key Difference Between Virus Protection And Virus Removal Software
Virus protection software is all about prevention as it is used to prevent files containing viruses from being downloaded onto your computer. It also prevents the virus from being activated if it somehow gets downloaded to your computer, placed in a file-like location or in memory. If the file is downloaded, but flagged by antivirus software as malware and prevented from being activated, it will cause any damage to your system even though the infected file will still need to be contained and deleted.
Assume a situation in which an infected file is downloaded and then run, making the virus active. This is usually done by accident, for instance, by opening a virus-infected file attachment in an email or clicking a malicious URL link.
Virus protection software may sometimes have rudimentary tools to remove active viruses, but modern malware is considered to be sophisticated in hiding on the infected computer where it can be re-initiated at a later time, hence these rudimentary tools may not completely remove infections.
System virus removal software provides tools that are used to specifically take malware out from an infected computer if a virus manages to pass through an antivirus software check. Malware here includes contained viruses, active viruses, and inactive malware that could be hidden and lurking on the infected computer.
Virus Removal From Your PC
If your PC does have a virus, adopt the following actions:
Remove the virus
Step 1: Enter Safe Mode
Turn your computer off and on again. Press the F8 button repeatedly as soon as you see anything on the screen. This brings up the Advanced Boot Options menu. Choose Safe Mode with Networking and press Enter. Keep your PC disconnected from the Internet.
Step 2: Delete Temporary Files
While in Safe Mode, you should delete your Temporary Files using the Disk Cleanup tool:
- Go to the Start menu
- All Programs (or just Programs)
- Accessories
- System Tools
- Disk Cleanup
- Scroll through the Files To Delete list, and then choose Temporary Files
Deleting these files could speed up the virus scanning you are about to do and could even help to get rid of a virus if it was programmed to start when your computer boots up.
Step 3: Download a Virus Scanner
Step 4: Run a Virus Scan
Step 5: Recover or reinstall any damaged files or software
Assuming the scan identified and removed the virus, you may have to reinstall any files or programs that were damaged by the virus. This is where backups become useful, and you should make them regularly.
Step 6: Improve your defenses
Step 7: Keep your protection up to date
Updating your virus protection software will help protect your PC against viruses and malware. Keeping it up to date is essential because new viruses are being developed all the time, hence even if you bought your antivirus a month ago, it could need immediate updating.
Step 8: Make backups
Ensure to make regular backups of your files and store them on an external hard drive. This will help prevent the loss of vital information should you get another virus.
Take Proactive Measures To Prevent Getting Another Virus Attack
Some quick things that will help in preventing you from downloading a virus again:
- Install an antivirus program
- Regularly back up your data
- Install the latest software updates for Windows
- Avoid clicking on pop-up messages that claim to have detected an issue with your computer
- Be cautious of opening emails from addresses you do not recognize, particularly if they contain an attachment or a link
Use Xcitium 360 Protection
Endpoint protection helps in preventing targeted attacks and advanced persistent threats (APTs), which cannot be prevented using only antivirus solutions. Endpoint security solutions provide enterprises with a complete range of security solutions that can be managed centrally, and which helps in securing endpoints connected to endpoints, including the many endpoint devices.
How Xcitium Advanced Endpoint Protection Works?
Xcitium Advanced Endpoint Protection (AEP) is capable of preventing unknown malware from running on your endpoints with Xcitium’s revolutionary Default Deny Platform. Xcitium AEP quarantines all the unknown files in a virtual container – where the suspicious files can be examined and executed safely and instantly.. Xcitium AEP includes a Default Deny Platform that focuses on complete enterprise visibility while the endpoints connected over the organization’s network are malware free. It also includes a console of IT and security management to help manage Linux, OSX, iOS, Windows, and Android devices connected to all the physical and virtual networks.
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