Can anti-virus software find a virus that was on the computer before the software was installed?
I don’t have a virus but I’m a little nervous about getting one. I’m waiting for my friend to get me a good anti-virus software because the one that came with my computer is Norton, and Norton is trash. When I get my anti-virus software in a few days will it be able to see if I have a virus or not?
You don’t need to wait for your friend, simply visit avast website, or any of the other free versions and download something.
Now, for your main question. Manny viruses will prevent you from installing an anti-virus, if that happens, follow these directions
People who tell you to use system restore to remove a virus don’t know what they are talking about.
A well written virus will infect system restore, so turn it OFF before following my directions so the virus can’t resurrect itself. After malware is removed you can turn system restore back on.
Many forms of malware are able to remove the executable part of antivirus and anti malware programs WHILE you are downloading them, so my suggestion is this.
What you should do is use a second computer to download a copy of malwarebytes and then update it. Next, copy the updated malwarebytes to a CD or DVD(if your pc can read DVDs) and insert the CD or DVD into the drive.TURN OFF your infected pc, not restart, TURN OFF.Wait 2 minutes then hit the power button while continuously tapping the F8 key. You want to enter safe mode (WITHOUT networking) and run the malwarebytes from there.
If you have problems doing this, register at forums.techguy.org/
They will walk you through it.
I would also suggest that you install some kind of antivirus, there are many free ones. I have used !avast quite successfully for well over a year, and it’s FREE!
August 24th, 2011 at 8:37 am
Yes. You could get Avast for free, it’s pretty good.
http://Avast.com
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August 24th, 2011 at 9:13 am
Yes, and Norton is not the worst out there.
If you are going free, I would reccomend Avast (UNLESS you are on vista, where it can cause system errors, id did for me). AVG thinks everything is a virus.
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August 24th, 2011 at 9:51 am
Yes, all anti-virus software scans existing files for viruses, that’s how they work. They aren’t a barrier intercepting the viruses, they simply scan infected files as the software finds them.
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Experience
August 24th, 2011 at 10:08 am
Yes it will, set your settings so that it will remove viruses after they are found and scan away.
References :
August 24th, 2011 at 10:47 am
Depends on the virus. Sometimes the virus doesnt let you install any antivirus software. But yea your new antivirus should find that annoying virus. if you want to scan your computer and get rid of that virus before installing your new antivirus I recommend scanning your computer with Malwarebytes. Here’s Step by Step how to use Malwarebytes.
http://www.wiredwaytech.com/2011/08/17/how-to-get-rid-of-malware-on-your-system/
References :
Lead Technician on a company. I get rid of viruses almost everyday.
August 24th, 2011 at 10:54 am
You don’t need to wait for your friend, simply visit avast website, or any of the other free versions and download something.
Now, for your main question. Manny viruses will prevent you from installing an anti-virus, if that happens, follow these directions
People who tell you to use system restore to remove a virus don’t know what they are talking about.
A well written virus will infect system restore, so turn it OFF before following my directions so the virus can’t resurrect itself. After malware is removed you can turn system restore back on.
Many forms of malware are able to remove the executable part of antivirus and anti malware programs WHILE you are downloading them, so my suggestion is this.
What you should do is use a second computer to download a copy of malwarebytes and then update it. Next, copy the updated malwarebytes to a CD or DVD(if your pc can read DVDs) and insert the CD or DVD into the drive.TURN OFF your infected pc, not restart, TURN OFF.Wait 2 minutes then hit the power button while continuously tapping the F8 key. You want to enter safe mode (WITHOUT networking) and run the malwarebytes from there.
If you have problems doing this, register at forums.techguy.org/
They will walk you through it.
I would also suggest that you install some kind of antivirus, there are many free ones. I have used !avast quite successfully for well over a year, and it’s FREE!
References :