Virus Protection, Scan, Removal. Best Antivirus Protection for Computer and Mobile Device

There are different types of computer virus, but this type can be considered the most dangerous computer virus. Win32/Sality.AT is a malware which deletes everything it finds, by turning it into a shortcut file. It infects everything, even files stored on USB or external Hard Drives that came in touch with the computer and if you connect them (the external Hard drive and USB) to another computer and open one of the shortcut (malware-infected) files, you will infect that computer as well. 

The best way to get rid of this infection is via Safe Mode (click here to learn how to boot into safe mode), while all the pieces of software are "asleep."

Once you are in Safe Mode, follow the steps below:

1. Delete the antivirus (if) you had installed before and download one of the following utilities (up to you which one): Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware, Junkware Removal Tool, AdwCleaner;
2. Install one of these three pieces of software (or another one) and run a Full/Deep scan, which you should NOT interrupt;
3. Once the scan is completed, delete (quarantine) the viruses and restart the computer.

People are aware that there are many websites out there designed to steal their data; However, the hardest part is to identify those websites. Usually those websites offer paid versions of popular softwares (such as antiviruses, games etc.), or an easy way for making money without effort. Once you open the website you will be asked to install a piece of software that allegedly improves your browsing experience. Do not accept it because not only does it not improve your browsing experience, but also it infects your computer or mobile device. 

If you are not sure whether a website is safe or not, you can check it with virustotal's engine. Virustotal is a website that provides free check-up for files and websites for viruses. It uses 55 different antivirus products and 61 online scan engines to check for viruses that the computer's antivirus may have missed.

All you need to do is to copy the link of the suspicious website in the designated field and wait for the results. 

Check an application's permissions before installing it on your mobile device. If you notice something suspicious (i.e, a game requires access to your camera), don't install it.

Before you install an Android application via Google Play(store), you will be shown what permissions the application requires:               

Note: You cannot change the application's permissions on an Android mobile device, however, you can check them so that you decide whether you will install a particular application or not (via Google Play Store).

Viruses are designed to deprive you of the pleasure to browse the net and download files quickly and nowadays it is difficult to tell which is the worst computer virus. The solution is to remove them; however, there are some viruses which may incapacitate your antivirus and prevent it from operating normally. If you try reinstalling it or install a different one, the result will be the same.

If you wonder how to get rid of a virus on your computer, you need to access the safe mode (so that the virus remains inactive). If don't know how to get into Safe Mode, check the don't know how to boot in Safe Mode guide to find out.

Once you're in safe mode:

1. Uninstall the previous antivirus (if any) from the Control panel. If you don't know how to uninstall it, check out the don't know how to uninstall a program/an application solutions.
   
   
2. Download a fresh copy of an antivirus software and scan your computer. Since the virus (or viruses) is inactive, it will be easier for the antivirus to delete it.
   *If you are not sure which antivirus software to download and install, check out the don't know which antivirus software to install solutions.
   
   
3. Run a full malware scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware followed by SFC /SCANNOW command in CMD (open the start menu and type cmd in the search box, right-click on it and Run as Administrator, and type SFC /SCANNOW in the window) to repair any system file damage the malware has done.

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) is a free computer virus removal tool (that offers a premium plan, too). It is an anti-malware software that scans for, identifies the symptoms of computer virus (or malicious software), and removes different types of malicious software (adware, spyware, trojans). Also, it offers an easy-to-use interface and a short wait time for scans.

Download it from the official website, install it on your computer, click of the Scan Now button and wait for the treats to be eliminated.

MBAM also has a premium version which offers a full-time background 'Malware Protection' and Malicious Website Protection, and a shorter wait time for scans, which is not the case with the free version.

Note: Although MBAM automatically updates its database, you can also check for updates manually by clicking Update. For best results, it is recommended to install it and scan for viruses with it while you are in safe mode. If you don't know how to enter the safe mode, click here to learn more.

If you see annoying advertisements you cannot close, or get redirected to a different website without your consent, it's possible that your computer is infected with a malicious adware. 

Adware is a term frequently used to describe a form of malware (malicious software) which presents unwanted advertisements when you browse the net. The advertisements produced by adware are sometimes in the form of a pop-up window titled "an offer you can't miss" or some similar phrazes. Those advertisements automatically open webpages infected with a malware (virus, worm, spyware and etc.) which invaded your computer without your knowledge.

If you wonder how to get rid of a virus on your computer, and of other types of malicious software, the best way to fight adwares (and other types of malicious software) is to install an antivirus, antispyware or an adware removal tool. Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware, (for Windows and Mac OS), SuperAntiSpyware (for Windows only) and BitDefender Adware Removal Tool (for Windows and Mac OS) are the most downloaded and trusted. Install them and run periodic scans. Also, be careful what web pages you visit and make sure to install software from trustworthy webpages only (Cnet, Filehippo etc.).

Note: If you are not sure which antivirus software to install, feel free to check the don't know which software to install solutions.

Considered to be the worst computer virus, ransomware is a type of malware that restricts the users' access to the computer and forces the users to pay a "ransom" to the operators of the malware in order to remove the restriction. Although very rare to get, it can sometimes cause data loss (you will have to reinstall Windows, and the "C:" drive will be wiped). It can also prevent you from accessing Windows, encrypt files so you can't use them, stop certain software from running (e.g the web browser) make you complete surveys and etc.

The best way to remove it, is by installing an anti-malware software such as Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware, through Safe Mode.

If you don't know how to get into safe mode, check out these solutions.

Note: If you already had an antivirus (anti-malware) installed, remove it in the control panel. If you don't know how to uninstall a program, check out these solutions.

Also, DO NOT PAY THE "FINE", Because there is no guarantee that the ransomware will be removed from your computer.

The number of threats to your computer and mobile device is increasing every day. Many developers work hard to find weak spots (bugs) in the operating systems and create new viruses so that they can steal personal data from millions of users.

To be on the safe side, and as a good mobile device/computer virus protection apply the recently released updates once you receive a notification that there is one. DO NOT DOWNLOAD UPDATES from third-party websites because they might have been modified to harm you.

To learn how to check for updates, and update your computer or mobile device's operating system, check out the don't know how to update my operating system solutions.

Another way for a virus to infect your computer or mobile device is through an outdated software. Many people just install pieces of software, without checking for updates from time to time. An outdated software can be a way for hackers to gain access to your computer or mobile device as new types of computer virus are "born" on a daily basis.

To learn how to update the applications installed in your device, check out the don't know how to update programs/applications solutions

The file extension (or file name extension) are the letters shown immediately after the last period of the file name (e.g software.EXE; picture.JPG). Many users think that JPG files, MP3 and other audio or visual file extensions cannot be hosts of viruses and open them without thinking. However, hackers take advantage of this fact and name their malicious files in a similar manner (e.g. picture.jpg) and count on the fact that Windows will not show the true file extension (the full name of the above-stated example would be picture.jpg.EXE)

Windows hides the file extensions by default (it hides .exe; .jpg and etc.) and the virus looks as a harmless file, but once you open it, it infects your computer.

The best way for you to be 100% sure about what you open (a picture, software and etc.), and "the best computer virus protection" is to see the file extensions.

To enable this option follow the steps below:

1. Go to (My) Computer -> Click Tools (Press the ALT key on your keyboard if you don't see Tools) -> Select Folder Options
   
   

   

2. Select the View tab -> Uncheck (Untick) the checkbox next to Hide extensions for known file types -> Apply the changes -> Press OK
   
   

   

Note: If you use Windows 10, click File and select Change folder and search options in order to access the Folder Options window