I think I have a virus. What can I do?

[IT_WinSec]

Question

How can I tell if I have a virus? What do I do?

How to prevent further infections ?

Answer

Typically you will see one or more of the following symptoms:

• The computer takes longer to boot to the Windows desktop
• The computer fails to boot properly
• Applications will not load or frequently stop responding
• Frequent system error messages or errors loading applications
• Unfamiliar icons are added to the desktop
• Generally slow system performance, especially while browsing the Internet
• Browser windows close unexpectedly or stop responding
• The browser home page changes and cannot be reset
• Pop-up windows display more frequent and/or when the browser is not open
• Unfamiliar toolbars are added to the browser
• Default web search engine has changed
• Clicking a web link does nothing, or goes to an unrelated website
• Webpages are automatically added to your favorites list
• Email messages or social media posts are sent from users address without their knowledge
• Unexpected and near constant hard disk access

There may be other symptoms, but this is a pretty solid list. Also note that cyber crimicals are very smart nowadays - having a computer virus or other typle of active malicious code (malware)  may be completely symptomless, too

What to Do If You Have a Virus

If you think your computer has a virus, check out the appropriate document below for more information on how to diagnose, deal with, and prevent future infections:

HP PCs - Computer might be infected by a virus or malware (Windows 10)

Just a heads up that typically, virus or malware infections are not covered under hardware warranty. You may be referred to a pay service like SmartFriend or asked to run a recovery.

Some Malware or Viruses can be very persistent and hard to effectively remove.  Ultimately, preparation for viruses if the best defense.  Reset to a factory state can sometimes be quicker and easier, assuming you are prepared. With that in mind:

• Remember to back up your data regularly, especially the data that is most important to you (photos, videos, personal documents, unfinished homework).
• If possible back up to more than one place like an external drive, CD, or DVDs.
  * Having clean back up of everything important will take some sting out of having to start over*
• Make sure you have created your recovery media and have it available. If you need assistance with this, review one of the following documents:
  

How to Perform a System Recovery in Windows 11 | HP Computers | HP Support 

Perform an HP System Recovery

Performing an HP System Recovery (Windows ‌‌8 )

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how to make a HP recovery disk