Seven Steps to Take When Your Computer Catches a Virus

Disconnect your computer. If your computer is connected to the Internet, the virus may send information about you to a third party.

Back up your data. Back up all your critical data on a disc or flash drive.

Get an antivirus program installed or updated. If you don’t have an antivirus program on your computer, install one. If you do, be sure it’s updated. Don’t do this from your computerâ€"use a friend’s and install the programs onto a disc.

Scan all removable media that may have been infected. Scan all removable media you’ve used while your computer was infected, including the one that contains your backup files.

Check your files. Some particularly malicious viruses can corrupt files completely during the infection process, so they can’t be retrieved even after the virus is removed.

Check the antivirus software’s site again. It’s possible that the vendor will have utilities that can help you recover infected data.

Contact a data recovery service. These companies may be able to help you retrieve your damaged data.

Run scans often and keep your antivirus software up to date, and your computer is more likely to stay virus-free.

In the vast majority of cases, your data can be retrieved. If your computer hasn’t been infected, you can catch problems before they happen by installing ant-virus software and ensuring it’s kept updated.

You should try and avoid downloading programs from unknown sources and opening unfamiliar emails. These activities can invite viruses onto your computer.

Run computer virus scans often, and ensure you keep your AV software up to date. With a bit of luck your computer will stay virus-free.