How to Remove Malware from Your Computer

Finding unwanted or harmful programs (malware) on your computer can be worrying, but don't panic. With the right steps, you can remove these threats and get your computer working normally again. This guide will walk you through identifying and removing malware using simple, straightforward methods.

How to Tell If Your Computer Has Malware

Your computer might have malware if you notice:

• Your computer suddenly runs much slower than usual
• Programs crash frequently or your computer freezes
• Pop-up ads appear even when you're not browsing the internet
• Your web browser keeps taking you to strange websites you didn't click on
• New toolbars or programs appear that you don't remember installing
• Your internet seems unusually slow or your data usage is higher than normal
• Your antivirus program won't start or seems to have been turned off
• Files are missing or you can't open some of your documents
• Unfamiliar programs are running in the background

Getting Ready to Remove Malware

Step 1: Disconnect from the Internet

• Unplug your internet cable or turn off your Wi-Fi
• Turn on Airplane Mode for extra protection
• Why this helps: This stops the malware from sending your information to hackers or downloading more harmful programs

Step 2: Save Your Important Files

• Plug in an external hard drive or USB stick
• Copy your important documents, photos, and personal files to this drive
• Important tip: Only back up your personal files, not program files that might contain malware
• Unplug the external drive when you're done

Step 3: Start Your Computer in Safe Mode

For Windows:

• Click the Start button and select Power
• Hold down the Shift key while clicking Restart
• Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart
• After your computer restarts, press F4 to start in Safe Mode

For Mac:

• Restart your Mac and immediately hold down the Shift key
• Let go of the Shift key when you see the login window
• You'll see "Safe Boot" in the top corner of the login screen

Method 1: Using Your Computer's Built-in Security Tools

For Windows: Using Windows Security (formerly Windows Defender)

1. Run a Full Scan

• Open Windows Security from the Start menu (look for a shield icon)
• Click on Virus & threat protection
• Under Current threats, click Scan options
• Select Full scan and click Scan now
• Let the scan finish completely (this might take an hour or more)

2. Run an Offline Scan for Stubborn Malware

• In Windows Security, go to Virus & threat protection
• Under Scan options, select Microsoft Defender Offline scan
• Click Scan now
• Your computer will restart and run a deep scan before Windows starts up

For Mac: Using Built-in Security

1. Check Your Security Settings

• Click the Apple menu and open System Preferences > Security & Privacy
• Make sure that "App Store and identified developers" is selected
• Look for any recently installed apps that might be causing problems

2. Update Your Mac

• Click the Apple menu and select System Preferences > Software Update
• Install any available updates, which include security updates

Method 2: Using Special Malware Removal Programs

Step 1: Get a Good Anti-Malware Program

If your computer's built-in tools didn't fix the problem, download one of these trusted programs (using another computer if possible):

• Malwarebytes - Good at finding and removing many types of malware
• Hitman Pro - Useful for a second opinion scan
• Emsisoft Emergency Kit - A portable scanner you don't have to install
• Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool - Powerful removal tool

Step 2: Update and Run Scans

1. Update the Program

• Briefly reconnect to the internet
• Open the anti-malware program
• Let it update its malware database
• Disconnect from the internet again before scanning

2. Run a Complete System Scan

• Choose the most thorough scan option available
• Let the scan finish completely
• Follow the program's advice to quarantine or remove any threats it finds

3. Try Another Scanner

• Different scanning programs can find different problems
• After the first scan finishes, try running a scan with a different program
• Using more than one scanner increases your chances of catching all malware

Method 3: Removing Malware Manually

Step 1: Check What Programs Are Running

For Windows:

• Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager
• Click the "Processes" tab and look for strange programs using a lot of your computer's resources
• Right-click suspicious programs and select "Open file location"
• Search online for any program names you don't recognize to see if they're harmful

For Mac:

• Open Activity Monitor from Applications > Utilities
• Look for programs using a lot of CPU or memory that you don't recognize
• Select suspicious programs and click the (X) to quit them

Step 2: Remove Unwanted Startup Programs

For Windows:

• Press Win+R and type "msconfig" then press Enter
• Go to the "Startup" tab
• Uncheck any suspicious programs you don't recognize
• In Windows 10/11, you can also use Task Manager > Startup tab

For Mac:

• Go to System Preferences > Users & Groups
• Click on your user name and select "Login Items"
• Remove any suspicious programs from the list

Step 3: Clean Up Your Web Browsers

For Chrome:

• Open Chrome and type "chrome://extensions" in the address bar
• Remove any extensions you don't recognize by clicking Remove
• Reset settings by going to Settings > Advanced > Reset settings

For Firefox:

• Open Firefox and click the menu button (three lines)
• Select Add-ons and Themes and look through Extensions
• Remove any suspicious add-ons
• Reset Firefox by going to Help > Troubleshooting Information > Refresh Firefox

For Safari:

• Open Safari and select Preferences
• Go to Extensions and uninstall any suspicious ones
• Reset Safari by clearing history and website data

What to Do if the Malware Won't Go Away

Option 1: Use System Restore (Windows)

• Press Win+R and type "rstrui.exe" then press Enter
• Follow the instructions to choose a restore point from before your computer had problems
• Complete the restoration and let your computer restart
• Note: This won't delete your personal files but will remove recently installed programs

Option 2: Use a Boot-Time Scan

• Set up your antivirus program to scan when your computer first starts up
• Restart your computer to start the scan
• This type of scan runs before Windows starts, which helps it find deeply hidden malware

Option 3: Reset Your Computer or Reinstall Your Operating System

For Windows:

• Go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery
• Select "Reset this PC" and choose whether to keep your personal files
• Follow the instructions to complete the reset

For Mac:

• Restart and hold Command+R while your Mac is starting up
• Select "Reinstall macOS" from the utilities window
• Follow the on-screen instructions to reinstall your operating system

Protecting Your Computer After Removing Malware

Step 1: Update Everything

• Install all available updates for your operating system
• Update all your programs, especially web browsers
• Turn on automatic updates to stay protected

Step 2: Strengthen Your Security

• Install a good antivirus program that scans files in real-time
• Make sure your firewall is turned on
• Consider adding a second anti-malware program for extra protection
• Use browser security add-ons like uBlock Origin to block harmful websites

Step 3: Change Your Passwords

• Change passwords for all your online accounts, starting with email and banking
• Use a different password for each account
• Consider using a password manager to create and store strong passwords
• Turn on two-factor authentication where available (this sends a code to your phone when you log in)

Step 4: Practice Safer Computer Habits

• Be careful with email attachments and links, even from people you know
• Only download programs from official websites
• Regularly back up your important files
• Be cautious about pop-ups and ads on websites
• Scan your computer regularly for malware

When to Ask for Professional Help

Consider getting help from an IT professional if:

• The malware keeps coming back despite your attempts to remove it
• Your files have been locked and you see a ransom demand (ransomware)
• You're worried that sensitive information like banking details might have been stolen
• Business computers are affected, which could impact your operations
• You're not comfortable performing these steps yourself

Conclusion

Removing malware from your computer takes some time and patience, but by following these steps, you can get rid of most malware infections and get your computer running normally again.

Remember that preventing malware is always easier than removing it. Keep your software updated, be careful about what you download and click on, and make regular backups of your important files to avoid future problems.

For help removing malware or setting up better security for your computers, contact Hexafusion's friendly tech experts today.