What to do if you think you have a computer virus
If your computer is displaying popups, frequently crashing or behaving strangely, it could be a sign that you have a computer virus.
Firstly, there are many myths about computer viruses. Computer viruses are a fact of life. Computers with anti virus software installed are still at risk. A firewall does not protect you from viruses, they protect you from network attacks and although they can detect virus activity, you need anti virus software to prevent and detect malicious software.
Security professionals prefer the term "malware" over virus since there are many types of malicious software that don't fit the technical definition of a virus. Spyware, adware, rootkits, keyloggers, worms and trojans are other common types of malicious software, however the term "virus" tends to be the household term and the IT industry has adopted the term "Anti Virus Software" as the category of software to detect malware.
It's important you have a current version of an anti virus software package. I recommend AVG, the links below will take you to the direct download page:
Not all anti virus software is the same, however most products do a reasonable job of protecting your from most threats. If you think you have a computer virus it's a good idea to scan your system with a second product after a suspected infection since it's not uncommon for malicious software to disable or hide itself from a particular product it detects.
If you suspect your computer has been infected with a virus, you need to act. Your personal and private details could be at risk if you continue using a computer infected with a computer virus.
If AVG detects a virus, you can either wipe your system and reinstall the operating system or try and clean the system by searching for information on the detected type of malware. As a preventative measure, always make sure you have a full backup of your data and create system recovery disks when possible.
Good luck with your fight against computer viruses, with the right software you can win the fight!