If you suspect or confirm that your computer is infected with a virus, obtain current antivirus software. When a virus infects your e-mail or other files, it may have the following effects on your computer: • The infected file may make copies of itself. This may use all the free space in your hard disk.

• A copy of the infected file may be sent to all the addresses in your e-mail address list.

• The virus may reformat your disk drive and delete your files and programs.

• The virus may install hidden programs, such as pirated software. This pirated software may then be distributed and sold from your computer.

• The virus may reduce security. This could allow intruders to remotely access your computer or network.

The following symptoms are frequently caused by or associated with a virus:

 • You received an e-mail message that has a strange attachment. When you open the attachment, dialog boxes appear or a sudden degradation in system performance occurs.

• There is a double extension on an attachment that you recently opened, such as .jpg.vbs or .gif.exe.

• An antivirus program is disabled for no reason and it cannot be restarted.

• An antivirus program cannot be installed on the computer or it will not run.
• Strange dialog boxes or message boxes appear onscreen.

• Someone tells you that they have recently received e-mail messages from you containing attached files (especially with .exe, .bat, .scr , and .vbs extensions) that you did not send.

• New icons appear on the desktop that you did not put there, or are not associated with any recently installed programs.

• Strange sounds or music plays from the speakers unexpectedly.

• A program disappears from the computer, but you did not intentionally remove it.

A virus infection may also cause the following symptoms, but these symptoms may also be the result of ordinary Windows functions, or problems in Windows that is not caused by a virus. • Windows will not start at all, even though you have not made any system changes, and you have not installed or removed any programs.

• There is much modem activity. If you have an external modem, you may notice the lights blinking too much when the modem is not being used. You may be unknowingly supplying pirated software.

• Windows will not start because certain critical system files are missing, and then you receive an error message that lists the missing files.

• The computer sometimes starts as expected, but at other times it stops responding before the desktop icons and taskbar appear.

• The computer runs very slowly, and it takes a long time to start.

• You receive out-of-memory error messages even though your computer has much RAM.

• New programs do not install correctly.

• Windows spontaneously restarts unexpectedly.

• Programs that used to run stop responding frequently. If you try to remove and reinstall the software, the issue continues to occur.

• A disk utility such as Scandisk reports multiple serious disk errors.

• A partition disappears.

• Your computer always stops responding when you try to use Microsoft Office products.

• You cannot start Windows Task Manager.

• Antivirus software indicates that a virus is present.
 

Do you still think you have a virus?

If after reading this guide you feel that your system may have been compromised then you have two possible courses of action:

• 1. If you live in the Orange County area, contact me directly to arrange a personal visit for my virus removal services.
   
• 2. If you are confident that you can follow my instructions - then follow the link to attempt a self repair.

Future virus prevention

If you have decided that based on the evidence you probably do not have a virus you should consider this a narrow escape and ensure that you are properly protected for the future.

If you do not already possess anti-virus software I strongly suggest that you acquire some straight away. Seriously, an unprotected machine is a danger not only to you but to the internet community at large; compromised machines are frequently used as launch pads from which even more machines are attacked. See my advice on how to purchase antivirus software.

You may also like to consider acquiring Firewall software as well as other security products, such as spyware removal tools.