How to remove malware from your Windows PC

Signs of a PC plagued by malware include but not limited to:

• slower than usual performance
• sudden spate of pop-ups
• out of the ordinary behaviour

The following is a step by step guide on how to get rid of malware:

1. Enter Safe Mode

• Disconnect PC from the internet
• Boot into safe mode. This means only the minimum required programs and services are loaded.

2. Delete temporary files

• Delete your temporary files using Disk Cleanup
• Run a virus scan

3. Download malware scanners

• Run a malware scanner to remove most standard infections. If you have an active antivirus program, consider using a different on as the current one may have not detected the malware.
• Have one real-time antivirus (this type is always running in the background) and one on-demand scanner (this type searched for malware when you open the program and run a scan)

4. Run a scan with Malwarebytes

• Download Malwarebytes to a USB drive from a different computer. Download the file to the infected PC and use the program wizard to install the program.
• Run a scan that can take anywhere from 5 to 60+ mins to complete
• If the scan exit randomly, the infection is probably a rootkit or deper infection. If so, backup files and reinstall windows since the scans are prevented from removing the infection.

5. Fix your web browser

• One common malware trait is to modify your web browser’s homepage to reinfect the PC, display advertisements, prevent browsing, and generally annoy you.
• To fix this, simply go to the setttings window of your browser to check your homepage setting.

6. Recover your files if Windows is corrupt

• If the infection seems to persist, copy all of your files to an external USB or flash drive.
• Reinstall Windows either from the disc that came with your PC, by downloading the installation image from Microsoft, or by using your PC’s factory restore option, if it has one

7. Keep your PC clean

• Always have a real-time antivirus program running on the PC. Make sure the program is always up to date.
• Check the status of your online accounts (banks, emails etc) to make sure you have not been compromised.
• Run a scan on any backup systems to make sure there are no infections that persist.