Steps to Take After a Virus Infection

Stay Calm — Act Fast

Discovering that your computer has a virus is stressful, but acting systematically will minimise damage. Follow these steps in order.

Step 1 — Disconnect from the Internet

Immediately turn off Wi-Fi or unplug your ethernet cable. This stops the malware from sending your data to attackers or spreading to other devices on your network.

Step 2 — Do Not Turn Off the Computer Yet

Turning the computer off can sometimes destroy forensic evidence and, in rare cases, trigger destructive payloads. Leave it on but disconnected until you have a plan.

Step 3 — Boot into Safe Mode

Restart the computer into Safe Mode with Networking. This prevents most malware from loading at startup.

• Windows 10/11: Hold Shift while clicking Restart → Troubleshoot → Advanced Options → Startup Settings → Restart → press 5
• Mac: Hold Shift at startup until the login screen appears

Step 4 — Run a Malware Scan

Use a reputable tool to scan your system:

• Malwarebytes Free — excellent at removing adware, trojans, PUPs
• Windows Defender Offline Scan — runs before Windows loads, catches rootkits
• ESET Online Scanner — free second-opinion scanner

Run the full scan, quarantine everything flagged, then restart normally.

Step 5 — Change Your Passwords

From a different, clean device, change passwords for:

• Email accounts
• Online banking and financial sites
• Social media
• Any site where you store a credit card

Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on every account that supports it.

Step 6 — Check for Unusual Activity

Review your bank and credit card statements, email sent folder, and social media posts. Look for anything you do not recognise. If you suspect identity theft, place a fraud alert with the credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion).

Step 7 — Consider a Full Reinstall

For severe infections — especially ransomware or rootkits — the only guaranteed clean solution is to wipe the drive and reinstall the operating system. We can help you do this while preserving your important files.