Malicious programs can deliver a truly serious blow, both to the operating system and to the computer hardware. The best solution is to prevent such programs from appearing in the first place, since once they enter the system, little can stop them. Modern viruses are especially dangerous because, due to their novelty, they can cause significant damage to the computer.
So, let's look at this issue from two sides: preventing malicious programs from entering the system and the actions to take when a computer is infected with viruses.
Preventing Malicious Programs
To prevent malicious programs from appearing on your computer, you should first install the newest operating system. Today, that is Windows 8, which is the least susceptible to infection. As for Windows 7, the chance of infection is about 30%.
On Windows XP, the chance of infection is about 75-80%, and considering that Microsoft is ending support for Windows XP, this operating system should no longer be used because it is dangerous. After that, you should enable the Windows firewall and install a powerful antivirus, preferably Eset Smart Security or Kaspersky Antivirus.
Be sure to purchase keys and update the antivirus daily, or set up automatic updates, which significantly reduces the chance of infection. Also, avoid visiting sites marked +18 and generally all suspicious sites; it is better to install a website security check module and use the Google Chrome browser, as it warns about dangerous sites.
Thus, you will significantly reduce the chance of infecting your computer, i.e., make it secure. The AdBlock extension, available for all modern browsers, best protects against spam and other junk on websites.
What to Do When Viruses Enter the System?
First, do not delay or put off solving the problem, as you need to act quickly; with every minute, viruses become stronger and infect a larger part of the system, which can ultimately lead to a complete OS crash or even computer burnout.
In such cases, it is best to immediately reinstall Windows with a complete deletion of all files, if possible. This way, we can be sure to clean everything from viruses.
If that is not possible, you should reinstall Windows while preserving files, then quickly take the actions described above, and then scan the entire system using the "Global Scan" method. This will help secure the computer and save files, as well as detect and remove malicious software.
Alternatively, without reinstalling Windows, you can check the entire system, and in particular the processes, using the "Global Scan" method. In this case, you can only hope that your antivirus knows about the virus that has entered the system and can destroy it. However, the best method is still reinstalling and then scanning the Windows system.
Good luck!
