If you are afraid that your computer has a virus but you are not sure, it probably does. There are countless viruses on the Internet. Different viruses are designed to do different things to your computer. The most common ones are trying to steal your identity or con you out of money. Beware of these signs that your computer has a virus or other spyware program. Install anti virus software, complete with firewall protection and anti spy ware software before you ever access the Internet.
If you have been using the Internet without this protection and suspect you have a virus, there are websites that can help you identify common viruses on your computer and will provide you with step by step instructions for removing them. There are some excellent anti virus programs that you can download from the Internet for free. These offer protection, but most free programs will not be able to remove a virus that is already on your computer.
Some viruses are designed to look exactly like the legitimate software that runs on your computer. The logos and colors are often almost identical. To know the difference, look for odd fonts, misspelled words or overly dramatic language. These are often signs that you are dealing with a hacker and not a legitimate software company.
Some websites provide screen shots of common viruses. You can search their database to find the exact virus that you are dealing with. If you feel confident in your computer skills, you can follow their step by step instructions for removing the virus or spyware. Some software that you purchase for anti virus protection can remove simple viruses and spyware from your computer even after it is infected. In other cases, it might be necessary to pay for a professional to remove the virus and restore your computer.
Always back up the information on your computer regularly. This will make it easier to restore your computer in case of a virus or any other problem that causes you to lose valuable data.