How to remove viruses

How-to

1. What virus?
2. Find the correct tool and patch (especially if the virus starts on its own, without input from the user).
3. Follow instructions on how to remove the virus
4. Install an anti-virus program or update your current one.
5. Restart and do a new scan.

What virus?

How did you discover that you had a virus? Record whatever error message you got, as this makes it easier to find which file that is infected. Search the web for the error message, warning or filename to get hints as to how remove it. Different anti-virus companies often have news related to these. Links: Google, Symantec, F-Secure or Norman.

Tools

After you have figured out what kind of virus your computer has been infected with, you might find what kind of tool you need for removal. Download this tool and follow its webpage-instructions.

Read and follow the instructions

It is important to follow the instructions exactly when removing viruses, especially regarding restarting the machine, using the tool and adding security patches. You may make things worse by not following them exactly as some virus developers know how users just click next-next-next-next without reading instructions and have incorporated this in their viruses so they are harder to remove.

Anti-virus program

Install or update your virus program after you have removed the virus. NTNU has a site license for F-Secure Anti-Virus for both students and employees which you can download from progdist or get at Orakeltjenesten.

Restart your computer and scan

After you have removed the virus, installed or updated your virus program, you should do a new virus scan to ensure that the virus is completely removed.