How do I check for malware on my computer?

Malware is any malicious software that can harm your computer or compromise your privacy. Malware can include viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware, spyware, adware, and more. To check for malware on your computer, you can use the following methods:

• Use Windows Security. Windows Security is a built-in antivirus and anti-malware tool that comes with Windows 10 and Windows 11. It can scan your computer and detect existing malware, including any malware that may have slipped through undetected by your current antivirus program. To use Windows Security, go to Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Windows Security > Open Windows Security. Then click Virus & threat protection > Scan options. You can choose from different types of scans, such as Quick scan, Full scan, Custom scan, or Windows Defender Offline scan. Follow the instructions on the screen to start the scan and remove or quarantine any malware found.
• Install and Update Antivirus Software: If you don’t have antivirus software installed, get a reputable one and keep it updated. And If you want to use another malware scanner besides Windows Security, you can download and install a reputable third-party malware scanner from the internet. Some of the popular malware scanners are Malwarebytes, Bitdefender, Kaspersky, Norton, Quick Heal and McAfee. Make sure you download the malware scanner from the official website and not from any suspicious links or pop-ups. After installing the malware scanner, run it and follow the instructions to scan your computer and remove or quarantine any malware found.
• Perform a Full System Scan: Initiate a thorough system scan using your antivirus software. This scan will check all files, processes, and areas of your computer for any known malware signatures. The scanning duration may vary depending on the size of your hard drive and the number of files on your computer.
• Enable Windows Defender (Windows OS): If you’re using Windows, make sure Windows Defender is enabled. It is a built-in security feature that provides real-time protection against various threats.
• Scan External Devices: If you frequently use external storage devices like USB drives, make sure to scan them for malware as well. Malware can spread through these devices.
• Perform Regular Updates and Scans: Schedule regular automatic scans and updates for your antivirus and anti-malware software. Regular scans ensure that your system remains protected from the latest threats.
• Check for Unusual Behavior: Be vigilant for any unusual behavior on your computer, such as slow performance, unexpected pop-ups, or new browser toolbars. These signs could indicate a malware infection.
• Use a Firewall: Enable and use a firewall to monitor incoming and outgoing network traffic, blocking potentially harmful connections.
• Be Cautious Online: Be mindful of what you download and click online. Avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading files from untrusted sources.
• Use a bootable malware scanner. If your computer is severely infected by malware and you cannot boot into Windows normally, you can use a bootable malware scanner to scan your computer from an external device such as a USB flash drive or a CD/DVD. A bootable malware scanner can bypass the malware that may interfere with the normal scanning process and access the infected files directly. Some of the bootable malware scanners are Kaspersky Rescue Disk, Bitdefender Rescue Mode, Avira Rescue System, and ESET SysRescue Live. To use a bootable malware scanner, you need to download the ISO file of the scanner from the official website and burn it to a USB flash drive or a CD/DVD using a tool such as Rufus or ISO Burner. Then you need to boot your computer from the USB flash drive or CD/DVD and follow the instructions to scan your computer and remove or quarantine any malware found.
• Review Installed Programs: Regularly check the list of installed programs on your computer. If you notice any unfamiliar software, research it to determine if it’s legitimate or potentially harmful.
• Clear Browser Cache and Cookies: Malware can sometimes be delivered through compromised websites or advertisements. Clearing your browser cache and cookies can help remove some traces of potentially harmful content.
• Remember that no security measure is foolproof, so it’s crucial to adopt a layered approach to computer security. Regularly backing up your important files to an external drive or cloud storage can also help you recover data in case of a malware attack.

These are some of the ways to check for malware on your computer and how to fix them. If you still experience problems after trying these solutions, you may need to contact a professional technician for help.