What to Do After a Virus or Malware Infection

Finding out your computer has a virus is a stressful experience. Maybe your browser started redirecting you to weird websites. Maybe an antivirus popup warned you something was wrong — or worse, you clicked on something you shouldn’t have and now your computer is acting strange. Whatever brought you here, here’s what you should do next.

Step 1: Stop Using the Computer for Sensitive Tasks

The first thing to do is limit the damage. If malware is present, it may be capturing your keystrokes, passwords, or financial information. Avoid logging into your bank, email, or any other sensitive accounts until the infection has been cleaned. If you absolutely must, do it from a different device.

Step 2: Don’t Pay Any Ransom or “Tech Support” Pop-Ups

One of the most common scams we see in Durham is “scareware” — fake pop-ups that say your computer is infected and demand you call a number or pay to fix it. These are almost always fake. Real antivirus software doesn’t ask you to call a phone number or wire money. Close the browser tab (or force-quit if needed) and don’t call the number.

Step 3: Run a Trusted Malware Scanner

Tools like Malwarebytes (free version) are good for a first scan. If you’re not comfortable running scans yourself, or if a scan finds something and you’re not sure what to do next, that’s completely okay — this is exactly what we’re here for. A real cleaning involves more than just one scanner; it includes checking startup programs, browser extensions, scheduled tasks, and other places malware likes to hide.

Step 4: Change Your Passwords — From a Clean Device

After the infection is cleaned, change your passwords for email, banking, and any accounts you may have logged into while the virus was present. Do this from your phone or another unaffected device, not from the infected machine. If you reuse the same password across multiple accounts, now is a great time to change that habit.

Step 5: Figure Out How It Got In

Understanding how the malware got on your computer helps prevent it from happening again. Common entry points include: clicking a link in a phishing email, downloading software from an unofficial website, a fake Adobe Flash or Java update prompt, and visiting a compromised website. Understanding the source matters — some infections come bundled with software downloads, while others come from email attachments.

Step 6: Consider a Professional Cleaning

Some malware is incredibly persistent. Rootkits, in particular, can survive a basic scan and even reinstall themselves. If your computer continues to behave strangely after scanning — or if you found a particularly nasty infection — a professional cleaning or even a clean Windows reinstall may be the most reliable solution.

Related reading: Keeping your computer clean and updated goes a long way toward preventing infections. See our guides on keeping your software updated and what a PC tune-up includes.

The Computer Cellar Can Help

That’s what we do every day at The Computer Cellar. We go well beyond a basic scan — checking all the spots malware likes to hide, from startup programs to browser extensions, and making sure it’s completely gone before we hand your machine back. Walk-ins are always welcome, or give us a call at (919) 314-3327. We’re at 720 9th St., Lower Level, Durham, NC 27705.