How to recover from a Trojan or virus
Reinstall your operating system
If the previous step failed to clean your computer, the most effective option is to wipe or format the hard drive and reinstall the operating system. Although this corrective action will also result in the loss of all your programs and files, it is the only way to ensure your computer is free from backdoors and intruder modifications.
Many computer vendors also offer a rescue partition or disc(s) that will do a factory restore of the system. Check your computer’s user manual to find out whether one of these is provided and how to run it.
Before conducting the reinstall, make a note of all your programs and settings so that you can return your computer to its original condition.
It is vital that you also reinstall your antivirus software and apply any patches that may be available. Consult “Before You Connect a New Computer to the Internet” for further assistance.
Restore your files
If If you made a backup in Step 3, you can now restore your files. Before placing the files back in directories on your computer, you should scan them with your antivirus software to check them for known viruses.
Protect your computer
To prevent future infections, you should take the following precautions:
- Do not open unsolicited attachments in email messages.
- Do not follow unsolicited links.
- Maintain updated antivirus software.
- Use an Internet firewall.
- Secure your web browser.
- Keep your system patched.
To ensure that you are doing everything possible to protect your computer and your important information, you may also want to read some of the articles in the Resources section below.
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