How to Remove the Most Common Types of Malware?

In this article, I am going to give you tips to remove the common types of malware like viruses, spyware, worm, trojan, and keylogger. These malicious programs infiltrate an operating system in order to cause damage or even steal information from users of those systems.

Virus.

Basically, they are malicious programs that infect the operating system and are capable of copying files and software. Like viruses that target humans, they seek to infect other computers. Contamination, in most cases, occurs when the user executes the host file, that is, the infected file. This file usually reaches the user through email attachments, “contaminated” flash drives, or other media that contain infected files.

Tips to Remove

Some ways to remove them are:

(1)Antivirus:

Step 1. Install one of the good anti-viruses;

Step 2. After the download is complete, scan the computer;

Step 3. Clean the contaminated files. If you can't, clean and delete them, send them to Quarantine and wait for new updates of "cures";

Step 4. Remember to keep your anti-virus always up to date, so that your computer is protected.

(2)Manual Removal:

Step 1. If you know what the contaminated file is, a possible form of exclusion is manual removal;

Step 2. First, check that the file is not important for the computer's operation, such as a system file, for example;

Step 3.1. If it is an important file, it is best to send it to Quarantine, using an antivirus, and wait for updates that remove the virus without damaging the file.

Step 3.2. If it is not an important file, delete it.

Tips to Avoid

Just as or more important than knowing how to remove a virus is knowing how to avoid them. For this, it is important that the user has some care.

Tip 1. Avoid opening files sent by unknown senders;

Tip 2. Always pass the anti-virus on a file before installing it on your computer;

Tip 3. Avoid opening a flash drive on public computers. If it is unavoidable, remember to pass the antivirus before using the pen drive on a personal computer.

Spyware.

This is another known and dangerous type of malware. This software, as the name implies, acts to spy on and impair the activities of an operating system. This malicious software performs certain activities such as advertisements, collecting personal information, or changing your computer's settings. Be suspicious if pop-up ads appear on the web and your computer takes longer than usual to complete some tasks.

Tips to Remove

Step 1. If you try to uninstall this software as you do with any other program, it may be a futile attempt. Many Spywares are resistant and will reappear shortly after your system restarts. To remove them, install one of the good anti-spyware listed in our spyware security section ;

Step 2. After installation, scan the computer;

Step 3. Select the suspicious files and remove them following the anti-spyware instructions;

Step 4. As advised for viruses, keep antispyware programs up to date to prevent your computer from being unprotected by new threats.

Tips to Avoid

Tip 1. Keep your software up to date. Check with your operating system tools that important and security updates have been installed;

Tip 2. Use a firewall to prevent spyware from being hacked on your computer. See a list of firewalls in our downloads section;

Tip 3. Download files from trusted sites and people. Avoid opening attachments sent by strangers or with subjects that look "suspicious", such as friends sending links to photos that you know we're not taken. Curiosity is great, but resist;

Pay Trojan Horse or Trojan Horse

Trojan's form of action is denounced by the software's own name. As in the Trojan Horse legend, the software disguises itself as a "gift" for the user. However, when executed, they act maliciously.

It is capable of infecting, corrupting, and deleting files, essential system components, and applications, and even destroying entire systems by deleting important files or by formatting the HD. Another form of malicious behavior is to steal bank details, credit card numbers, login, password, document information, and other damages. The Trojan is also capable of installing other dangerous pests such as Keyloggers, Screenloggers, and Backdoors ;

Tips to Remove

To remove them, follow a step by step:

Step 1. Install one of the good anti-viruses;

Step 2. After the update, scan the computer;

Step 3. Clean the contaminated files or try to delete them. If not, send them to Quarantine and wait for further updates.

Tips to Avoid

Learn how to avoid them:

Tip 1. They are disseminated when people open a program because they believe they are from a legitimate source. Make sure the file is from a trusted source and that you were really expecting to receive a file;

Tip 2. Have a firewall installed and activated. In many cases, they can prevent these pests from entering your computer.

Worm.

Also known as a worm, this program is a subclass of viruses and is able to spread automatically over networks, by sending auto copies to other computers. Unlike the virus, the worm does not insert auto copies into other programs or files and does not need to be run to spread. It checks for flaws in software configuration and propagates.

Tips to Remove

To remove worms, follow the steps:

Step 1. Install one of the good anti-viruses;

Step 2. After the update, scan the computer;

Step 3. Clean the contaminated files or try to delete them. If not, send them to Quarantine and wait for further updates.

Tips to Avoid

Since the worm is a subclass of viruses, there are similarities in the forms of protection. To avoid them, here are some tips:

Tip 1. Don't open attachments from unknown people. Delete the email to avoid temptation or even a future distraction;

Tip 2. Keep your anti-virus and software updated;

Tip 3. Avoid opening unknown files. If necessary, pass an antivirus beforehand.

Keylogger

It is a program capable of storing the keys typed by the user. It is activated, for example, after an online sales website or an online bank, to steal passwords and credit card numbers.

Here's a way to find out if your computer is contaminated by a keylogger:

Step 1. Open the Task Manager by typing CTRL + Alt + Delete;

Step 2. Search for the BKP.exe or AKL.exe files. If so, your computer is infected.

Tips to Remove

To remove a keylogger:

Step 1. Install one of the good anti-viruses;

Step 2. After the update, scan the computer;

Step 3. Clean the contaminated files or try to delete them. If not, send them to Quarantine and wait for further updates.

Tips to Avoid

To avoid them:

Tip 1. Don't open attachments from unknown people. Delete the email to avoid temptation or even a future distraction;

Tip 2. Have a firewall installed and activated. In many cases, they can prevent these pests from entering your computer.

Tip 3. Avoid opening unknown files. If necessary, pass an antivirus beforehand.

A good way to escape the action of keyloggers, even if it is installed in the operating system, is to use the computer's virtual keyboard or calculator to enter passwords and credit card numbers.

Although the malware mentioned most often affects the Microsoft Windows operating system, users of other platforms should also be aware of the risks of these virtual pests.