Viruses are basically programs that run commands that you do not want run. Much like any automatic, self-booting program, viruses boot up by themselves and execute their commands. Unfortunately those are commands that affect the information in your computer, and those are commands that you do not want run in the first place.
For all its advantages the PC is very vulnerable to virus programs and quite often need virus updates to properly protect the information stored there in. Often a victim of various kinds of viruses, Windows XP receives these viruses through three ways: through the Internet, file downloads or as attachments through emails.
Once infiltrated by a virus, anti-virus software will show a pop-up window indicating what kind of virus has infected your computer. And the only way to remove this pop up window is to purge the virus from your computer.
Follow the steps below to eliminate the virus from your computer.
* Download anti-virus software. Most computers already have built-in anti-virus software installed by the manufacturer. But just to be safe, download the latest versions of your anti-virus online. Go to the official site of the anti-virus program in your computer and install the latest one for Windows XP.
* Reboot in safe mode. Restart your computer while holding down the F8 key on your keyboard. This will start your computer in “Safe Mode.” Safe Mode is the diagnostic mode of your Windows OS and is stripped down to the most basic functionality. Since most of the viruses operate on non-core components, you will be able to isolate where the virus is and eliminate it.
* Run the anti-virus program. In safe mode, locate your anti-virus program and run it. You may have to key in commands as you are running the computer in Safe Mode. Refer to your anti-virus’s user manual for instructions on how to run it on Safe Mode. If you do not have the user manual with you, read up about it online before dealing with your virus problem. Unless your computer is infected with a particularly specific and virulent virus, commercial anti-virus programs should be able to get rid of common email and Internet spread viruses. Your computer should be fine at this point.
* Restart the computer. Restart your computer normally (do not hold down the F8 key on your keyboard) and the anti-virus pop up message should be gone.
* Persistent pop up windows. If the pop up window sit shows up even after you’ve run the anti-virus program, chances are the virus is still in your system. Try to run different anti-virus software and see which one deals with the pesky virus in your computer. You can download a lot of anti-virus freeware online like Trend Micro, Ad-Aware or Avast.
Never underestimate the capabilities of viruses. The smallest virus can cause the biggest computer crashes and could lose you all of the files you’ve built up in your computer. One sure way to prevent viruses to get into your computer is to not open any attachments sent to you via email and to exercise some discretion with the kinds of sites you visit online.
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