How to Scan Your Laptop for Viruses: A Step-by-Step Guide

Is your computer or laptop acting strangely? Do you suspect it might be infected with malware and are looking for ways to get rid of it? Before you start cleaning up malware, stay calm. Anyone can potentially be targeted by malware, from government agencies and large corporations to small businesses and personal computer users.

Malware, short for malicious software, is designed to damage computer systems, networks, or servers without the owner’s knowledge.

Usually, malware can enter your computer through downloaded files from browsers and emails. So, you should always be careful when surfing the internet.

Steps to Scan and Remove Malware

Here’s how to scan your laptop or Windows PC for viruses and remove malware effectively:

1. Backup Your Important Data
   Prepare a backup of your important computer or laptop data in the cloud or an external drive. This ensures that your data remains safe in case of unexpected events like malware or ransomware attacks.

2. Disconnect from the Internet
   Immediately disconnect from the internet as soon as you suspect a malware attack. This action prevents data transmission from your computer to others over the internet, limiting potential damage and data breaches.

3. Enter Safe Mode
   Safe Mode is a diagnostic mode in Windows used to troubleshoot problems, including malware infections. Here’s how to enter Safe Mode. – Go to Settings > Recovery > Under Advanced Startup, select Restart now. – Then, choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.

   – On the following screen, you can use F4 or number key 4 to select (Enable Safe Mode). Safe mode starts Windows with minimal drivers and services, which can help in isolating malware.

4. Delete Temporary Files
   Delete temporary files before running a full scan on your device. This speeds up the scanning process, frees up disk space, and can even remove some active malware files that reside in temporary folders.

5. Reset Your Browser
   Malware often originates from browser downloads or extensions. Resetting your browser can help eliminate malicious extensions and restore default settings. Here’s how to reset Chrome and Firefox:

   Reset Chrome Browser
   – Go to Settings in Chrome. > Search for Reset and Clean Up.
   – Click Clean Up Computer > Wait for Chrome to detect harmful programs.
   – If unknown or harmful software is found, click Remove.
   – Next, restore Chrome to its factory settings.
   – Go to Settings > Select Reset and Clean Up > Then choose Restore settings to their original defaults > Click **Reset Setting.

   Reset Mozilla Firefox Browser
   – Open the Mozilla Firefox application. > Click the Help menu.
   – Click Troubleshooting Information. > Click Refresh Firefox.
   – Click Refresh Firefox again in the confirmation window.
   – Wait briefly and click Finish.

6. Change Passwords Saved on Your Laptop/PC
   Immediately change passwords if your laptop or PC is infected with malware. This is crucial to prevent unauthorized access, as malware can steal saved passwords from browsers and other applications.

7. Scan with Windows Defender
   Microsoft has published instructions on how to remove malware using Windows Defender. To effectively use Windows Defender, ensure your Windows is up to date. This keeps the malware database current, enabling it to recognize the latest threats. Here’s how to scan using Windows Defender:

   Click Start, then type in the search bar Windows Security > Click Open.
   Select Virus & Threat Protection > Click Scan Options and choose Full Scan.

   You can also utilize the Microsoft Safety Scanner, released on September 30, 2022, for an additional layer of scanning.

8. Scan with Anti-Malware Software
   If Windows Defender doesn’t detect malware (possibly due to outdated Windows updates), consider using alternative anti-malware software like Malwarebytes. Malwarebytes offers a free trial and is effective in detecting and removing various types of malware. For guidance on using Malwarebytes, you can visit the page how to clean malware using malwarebytes.

9. Uninstall Unknown Programs
   Remove any suspicious programs that you don’t recognize. Review the list of installed programs on your device by going to Settings > Apps > Select Apps & Features. Uninstall any software that looks unfamiliar or potentially malicious.

These are the steps to effectively scan and clean malware from your Windows device. Regularly performing these scans and practicing safe browsing habits can significantly protect your system from future infections.