A malware infection can be a serious headache, deleting system files, stealing passwords and account information, or taking over your computer for a third party. When malware hits a computer you use for business work, the effects can be catastrophic. If you suspect that malicious programs have gained access to your computer, it is important to work quickly. Taking the steps to kill malware before it strikes can mean the difference between an afternoon’s computer maintenance and several days of picking up the pieces.
Maintain an active anti-virus suite on your computer and keep it updated. There are a number of free virus scanners on the market, and most feature a real-time scanning system that checks files on access to ensure the files contain no malicious code. If you feel that malware has bypassed this protection, running a full scan using your AV program may be able to remove the offending files before any further damage happens. Unfortunately, some malware programs, once activated, will take steps to suppress AV programs.
If you have a malware infection that is blocking programs from running on your system, the next step is to boot into Safe Mode. Reboot your computer and hold down "F8" until the system prompts you on whether you would like to boot normally or enter Safe Mode. This mode only loads the most vital drivers, preventing many third-party programs, beneficial or malicious, from running automatically. From there, you may be able to delete offending files, reactivate your anti-virus program, or access an online virus scanner such to rectify the problem.
Sometimes, the infection will become too severe to repair. Malware may delete your firewall, virus scanners or other vital parts of your operating system, forcing you to repair or reinstall your operating system. Reformatting your system drive will destroy all files present, but it will also remove any traces of the malware that managed to take over your system. You can reformat and reinstall Windows by inserting your install CD, running the setup program, and following the appropriate prompts. Note that if you have multiple hard drives, or if you move files off the system drive prior to reformatting, they may remain infected with the malware that caused the problem in the first place. You should install a new virus scanner as quickly as possible and perform a full system scan to remove any stragglers.
The best way to prevent malware from causing havoc in your life is to block it from gaining a foothold on your system in the first place. Never open unsolicited email attachments, even if they come from someone you know. Be careful when downloading and installing software from the Internet, and be sure of the source before running the program. Back up vital files and documents regularly to prevent their loss in the case of a catastrophic malware infection.
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