Do You Have a Computer Virus?

Virus Alert: Real or Rogue?

The reader didn't say whether these symptoms occurred when he was browsing the Web or when doing something else. If you see something similar, you may have a real virus in your computer, but more likely you're looking at a simulated virus that is nothing more than a Web page that a scammer has made difficult to close.

Either way, do not call that phone number! You will surely be connected to a fake “tech support rep” who will try to initiate a remote session with you. He'll also con you out of one or more credit card numbers (“Oops, that card was declined. Got another?”) He may also try to get your bank account numbers, Social Security Number, driver’s license number, and other data that can be used to steal your identity. After getting your payment details, he'll give you instructions for downloading something "to help you analyze and fix the problem."

The most likely result is that you WILL have a virus after dutifully following the instructions of the person on the other end of the phone. Adding insult to injury, new credit card charges will be rung up, leaving you to sort things out with the card issuer. So Rikki, don't use that number.

If this “virus alert” pops up only when you are browsing the Web, it is probably a fake Web page. Your computer does not have a virus. But the fake page can be designed to take over your entire screen, leaving scant clues that a browser is open. The page may also include code that makes it very difficult to close the page, and which re-opens the page if you do manage to close it. Your first step to get out of this trap is to close your browser.

Press the Ctl-Shift-Esc keys simultaneously and hold them down until the “Task Manager” window appears. In the Processes tab you will see the name of your browser (Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Firefox etc.). Right-click that item and then click the “End Task” option to force the browser to close.

Eliminating a Malware Infection

If you suspect a virus infection, run the fullest, most in-depth scan that your antivirus software can perform. (See my article PC Matic Gets a Zero! for my recommended internet security tool.)

Then run another scan using another antivirus program, just to be sure. A free utility named ADWCleaner will scan your computer, browser, and Windows registry for extensions and other programs that may harbor this “tech support” scam.

If the “virus alert” went away when you closed your browser, then the problem is almost certainly browser-related. The alert may simply be a page on a shady Web site that you visited; the solution is to close that site’s tab or window and never go there again.

Another option is System Restore; roll back your Windows system to an earlier time before you started getting the “virus alert.” See my article, Try System Restore for Windows 10 for help with that.

Viruses generally don’t throw up “alerts” to let you know something is wrong. Most malware prefers to operate in secret, so you won't find and remove it. A computer that runs sluggishly may be infected with a virus. Whatever mischief the virus does in the background consumes resources and can slow everything else down.

One exception to the "viruses operate in secret" rule is ransomware. If your computer is locked and a screen instructs you to make a payment to restore access to your data, you may be a victim of ransomware. See my article Ransomware: Are You at Risk? to learn more about ransomware, prevention and recovery.

If you have a nagging feeling that you may have a computer virus, but you don't have any hard evidence, it can't hurt to check, even if it's for your peace of mind. See my instructions above to scan your computer for viruses if something doesn't seem right, or just as precautionary measure.

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