What can I do if I think I have a virus?
QuestionWhat can I do if I think I have a virus?
AnswerSkip this and contact a professional
If you'd like to skip this guide and contact a professional, CLICK HERE.
There are a few steps you can take if you think you have a virus.
Use anti-virus software
One of the first things you should do is scan your computer with anti-virus software. Many Toshiba computers come with software for this purpose. You may choose to use an alternative, but you should only have one anti-virus program installed at a time.
Run your anti-virus program and ensure it's fully updated. Once it's updated, preform a full scan of your computer.
Disconnect accessories
If that doesn't help, you should disconnect any accessories connected to your computer. It's possible that the symptoms that you think are due to a virus could be due to an accessory.
Uninstall new software
An error with a new program might be causing problems that you think are being caused by a virus. To check this, uninstall any new programs that you installed near the time your computer's symptoms first appeared.
Perform system restore
If none of the previous suggestions helped, you might consider performing a system restore. This will return your computer's system files to a previous state. System settings will revert, and programs installed since the restore point was created might need to be reinstalled. Your documents shouldn't be changed.
For more information on performing a system restore, see one of the following articles:
How To: Understanding System Restore, Refresh, Reset, and, Recovery options in Windows 8 + Video
How To: Perform a system restore in Windows 7
Contact a professional or perform a system reset
Lastly, you might want to return your computer to factory default conditions. This is sometimes called a system reset or a system recovery. Note that this will remove all of your software and data that you added including applications, documents, photos, etc.
If you don't want to reset your computer and you'd like to contact a professional, CLICK HERE.
If you do want to proceed with a system reset, the system reset will remove the virus. For more information, see the following article:
How To: Understanding System Restore, Refresh, Reset, and, Recovery options in Windows 8 + Video
Some processes are critical, but many can be interrupted without any problem.
You can monitor your ongoing processes by going to Applications/Utiltities/Activity Monitor; pay particular attention to Disk Activity and Network. To interrupt a process, highlight the process, and tap "Quit Processes." This will interrupt or stop the runaway process.
Similar Messages
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I think I have a virus, yesterday I got an email from Verizon that I own $1000 and I tried to open it and now I have 8 emails from the same sender. DO I have a virus and what should I do to clean my ipad?
Chances are your iPad is fine. when you clicked on that e-mail, you confirmed to them 'hey, real person' so now Mr Spammer is working towards his 'make money from home' quota of spam by sending you multiple e-mails. You can block him - I'm not sure what e-mail client you're using so no idea for exact instructions, but you'll probably need to do this on a computer not via the iPad) and you could report him....wouldn't hold my breath that the report will actually accomplish anything beyond the person being blocked.
The iPad's operating system is different from the OS of a PC or Mac. Viruses written for one can't run on the others. (and iPads dont' get viruses in the strictest definition of the term, malicious programs that propogate themselves across the operating system)
The down side, even if you block this person, they know your address is a 'live' one so you'll need to be alert and aware because I'm sure more spam and phising mails are on their way.
If you did enter ANY info, make calls and start changing passwords ASAP. -
The last few days I have been constantly saving my file. A couple of hours ago I renamed the file and then reopened my file a little while later, but the most recent work wasn't saved even though I'm sure I saved it before closing. What can I do? Also, when I have tried to email it to myself as a backup, the fields aren't populated when I open it up. Fyi, I have the free subscription.
Hi Constance,
As i understand your changes in the pdf were not saved...Are you still facing this issue?
Regards,
Rahul -
? What can i do about this, i will have cancel this if i can not use the programs
good evening i have just purchased lightroom and photoshop on a 12 months contract and its now saying i am running a operative system that photoshop no longer supports ? What can i do about this, i will have cancel this if i can not use the programs
unless that message is erroneous, you'll need to upgrade your os to use whatever you dl'd.
with a cc subscription, you can use cs6, cc and cc 2014.
if you need more help, what os do you have? -
iTunes will not display my iPhone on the device tab, message appears saying error in reading iPhone what can I do to correct this, I have tried everything suggested in apple support
- Try restoring on another computer.
- Make an appointment at the Genius Bar of an Apple store.
Apple Retail Store - Genius Bar -
What can I do if I do not have a serial number, because LR 5 was an additional to my Leica purchase?
What can I do if I do not have a serial number, because LR 5 was an additional to my Leica purchase?
I do not know what a Leica is but if it is a computer that came with Lightroom installed then you should contact whoever sold you the machine to see if they provide access for the installation files.
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What can I do if I no longer have the security issues would.
What can I do if I no longer have the security issues would.
I don't know what you are trying to ask ?
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What can i do if i don't have applecare
what can i do if i don't have applecare+
assuming your talking about a broken iphone 4 you can still call or take it to an apple store and get a replacement for 149$ (free if its under original one year warranty and its not physically damaged)
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I don't even have Snow Leopard. What can I do if I want to have Lion?
I don't even have Snow Leopard. What can I do if I want to have Lion?
Verify your computer meets Lion's system requirements, and then purchase 10.6 followed by 10.7 or wait for the 10.7 flash drives to come out in August.
(59560) -
I can't open or receive hotmail emails on my macbrook pro, but i can on other devices. i changed my password, emptied the cache, tried using a different browser, etc. i think i have a virus. help!
Thanks for your help. that's not working either! ugh!!
I can open hotmail, but it's not formatting right, i can't open emails, nor send them.
Thank you so much for trying to help. I really appreciate it.
I understand that you can't get a virus by opening an email, but it seems way too circumstancial! This is my third mac -- because unlike PC -- I never had a problem. I understand this problem is not with my macbook, because every other website works fine -- it's hotmail! -
incoming messages for imail are duplicating then freezes. What can be done to fix? I have deleted old files; rebooted iMail and computer. Every now and then, iMail will respond correctly.
incoming messages for imail are duplicating then freezes. What can be done to fix? I have deleted old files; rebooted iMail and computer. Every now and then, iMail will respond correctly.
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My iphone 5 don't want to connect with itunes, what can I do... I have an itune reedem card with a balance $15.05 but I can buy anything
It seems as though you are describing two different things, unless you are trying to say that you cannot connect to the iTunes Store on through the phone. If that is correct, suggest you try and do a search, the question has been asked a great deal and answers can be found. Maybe even try and describe the error message you are seeing when trying to connect.
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I think I have a virus or bot on my MacBook. Random e-mails have been sent from my e-mail overnight. I use comcast.net. Any suggestions for removing the bot.
Let me guess, one or more of your friends has asked you why you're sending them solicitations for phony pharmaceuticals or shady software?
These emails did not originate from your MacBook. What happens is that one or more of your friends has a Windows computer with your email address stored in its Address Book (or whatever Windows calls it). Their computer gets infected with a program that examines email addresses stored on it and used yours as the "return address" on the spam it's spewing forth, to disguise the actual source.
At present, there are no such known programs that run on Macs. Therefore, there is nothing to remove on your MacBook. All you're guily of is sending an email to someone with a Windows computer, who is lacking the anti-malware utilities that are a practical requirement for Windows.
Summary: There's nothing you can do.
Lesson: Friends don't let friends run Windows. -
I am having trouble with my mac book air. I think I have a virus because everytime i click on a link it openes up popup windows and other things. How do I reset teh computer?
Please post a screenshot that shows what you mean. Be careful not to include any private information.
Start a reply to this message. Click the camera icon in the toolbar of the editing window and select the image file to upload it. You can also include text in the reply. -
i think i have a virus on my Macbook Pro, OS X Yosemite, how do i wipe my computer clean without erasing photos and music etc?
The update alerts are fake, and are intended to dupe you into installing malware or disclosing private information so that your identity can be stolen.
You might get the alerts when visiting a website that has been hacked. Don't visit the site again. If applicable, notify the site administrator of the problem, but don't send email to an unknown party.
If you get the alerts when visiting more than one well-known website, such as Google, YouTube, or Facebook, then they may be the result of an attack on your router that has caused you to get false results from looking up the addresses of Internet servers. Requests sent to those sites are redirected to a server controlled by the attacker. It's possible, but less likely, that the DNS server used by your ISP has been attacked.
Back up all data.
Unlock the Network preference pane, if necessary, by clicking the lock icon in the lower left corner and entering your password. Cllck Advanced, open the DNS tab, and change the server addresses to the following:
8.8.8.8
8.8.4.4
That's Google DNS. Click OK, then Apply.
In Safari, select
Safari ▹ Preferences... ▹ Privacy ▹ Remove All Website Data
and confirm. If you’re using another browser, empty the cache. Test. If the fake update alerts stop, see below. Otherwise, ask for instructions.
The router's documentation should tell you how to reset it to the factory default state. Usually there's a pinhole switch somewhere in the back. It may be labeled "RESET." Insert the end of a straightened paper clip or a similar tool and press the button inside for perhaps 15 seconds, or as long as the instructions specify.
After resetting the router, quit the web browser and relaunch it while holding down the shift key. From the Safari menu bar, select
Safari ▹ Preferences... ▹ Privacy ▹ Remove All Website Data
and confirm. Do the equivalent if you use another browser. Open the Downloads folder and delete anything you don't recognize.
Then go through the router's initial setup procedure. I can't be specific, because it's different for every model. The key points are these:
1. Don't allow the router to be administered from the WAN (Internet) port, if it has that option. Most do.
2. Set a strong password to protect the router's settings: at least ten random upper- and lower-case letters and digits. Don't use the default password or any other that could be guessed. Save the password in your keychain. Any password that you can remember is weak.
3. If the router is wireless, or if you have a wireless access point on the network, use "WPA 2 Personal" security and set a different strong password to protect the network. If the router or access point doesn't support WPA 2, it's obsolete and must be replaced.
During the time the router was compromised, you were redirected to bogus websites. If you ever connected to a secure site and got a warning from your browser that the identity of the server could not be verified, and you dismissed that warning in order to log in, assume that your credentials for the site have been stolen and that the attacker has control of the account. This warning also applies to all websites on which you saw the fake update alerts.
Check the router manufacturer's website for a firmware update.
If you downloaded and installed what you thought was a software update, ask for instructions.
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