Avoiding/Detecting/Removing Viruses

[asianguy845]

Everyone hates viruses lol, they can take your personal info as well as your money. So I've written some ways of avoid/detecing/removing viruses.

Avoiding/Detecting Viruses

- Don't download suspicious files
Kind of obvious, but just putting it out there
Pros: Quick, easy to do, free
Cons: Sometimes you just need to download these files

- Using Virustotal
Virustotal is a website that will scan your file/link for suspicious and/or malicious downloads.
Pros: Quick, easy to use, free
Cons: Sometimes there are "false positives" (says there is a virus when there isn't)

- Don't put unknown USBs or removable medias into your PC
They kind also infect your PC even if you don't open the files on the USB
Pros: Easy, Free
Cons: None really, unless you will die of curiosity if you don't open the USB

- Use a firewall
Buy a hardware firewall (like a router). Microsoft includes a software firewall in its operating system
Pros: Easy to download/buy
Cons: Costs some money

Removing Viruses

- Antivirus
Use a known antivirus (can be free but paid is better). I suggest MalwareBytes, they also have a 14 day free premium trial without credit card
Pros: Easy to download, free (if you don't get paid version)
Cons: Might take a while for the antivirus to detect your viruses and remove them, might not work with advanced viruses

- Windows Defender
You can scan for viruses with windows defender, and you will have the option of removing detected viruses or keeping them (don't know why'd you do that)
Pros: Free, easy to use
Cons: Also might not detect advanced viruses

This tutorial was primarily made for newbies who don't have much computer knowledge.

Hope this helped someone and have a great day.

[jackg]

I think also if you have a preexisting virus an AV can't remove, you might have to get a boot able disk which you can either get a computer store to run or run yourself using the tools it has to run more advanced forensics and remove them from your machine. I haven't actually done this myself and the obvious next step I have done is just put a new drive in and start again from scratch (copying stuff across with an AV that can detect problems where necessary)...

[JeromeTash]

Some people become victims when they attempt to download Free or cracked versions of files from source like Torrents in away to try to avoid paying for license or products key but this is a very dangerous practice because most of those files are usually embedded with malicious code.

It's therefore important that users download trusted files from only official websites, and not just download and install but also verify the signature of the file before installing.

[harizen]

- Don't download suspicious files

Cons: Sometimes you just need to download these files

Like what suspicious files are these? Cracks? Torrents? ROMs? If you need to download these files then you won't think of it as suspicious.

The better term would be, download files on their official website or make it a habit to read reviews. Sometimes these files can also be found in a forum so reviews are available.

The bottom line, the virus will not enter the system if no one allows it. Always think before we click.

[Finestream]

- Don't download suspicious files

Cons: Sometimes you just need to download these files

Like what suspicious files are these? Cracks? Torrents? ROMs? If you need to download these files then you won't think of it as suspicious.

The better term would be, download files on their official website or make it a habit to read reviews. Sometimes these files can also be found in a forum so reviews are available.

The bottom line, the virus will not enter the system if no one allows it. Always think before we click.

As for me I love to download files with crack license, sometimes I also think of the risk that my laptop might be compromise but when I tried one time and nothing happens to my files, I then continue to download more files/programs from different forums, what's important here is to always read the review and download only those files with good reviews.

If we like to feel safe because we have our wallets information stored in the PC or Laptop we are using, maybe buying another device would help, secure the necessary information to the other device and don't install or download anything using such device.

[KrisAlex18]

We should not be contented even though our device doesn't have a virus, we should still install antivirus on it because viruses can exist anytime. It's better if we already have that on our device to prevent the virus from deleting some of our important details on our device. The virus can occur anytime and in any device, we can get it from downloading fake software or applications, that is why it is really important to check the software before installing, you should read the permission of the application before you install it.

You should also learn what is the betterer antivirus on your device, you may know it through searching or watching tutorials on youtube.

[taufik123]

If the file you want to download is suspicious, undo your intention to download it. Indeed there are some files such as crack files, keygen that are read by viruses and the file is needed for applications or software that requires crack or keygen to use it for free.

the most dangerous is when you start downloading the correct file but there are lots of advertisements that make you download an unknown file, usually it will have an extension. EXE and this is very dangerous. make sure the file you downloaded is correct and matches the name of the application you are looking for.

- Antivirus
Use a known antivirus (can be free but paid is better). I suggest MalwareBytes, they also have a 14 day free premium trial without credit card
Pros: Easy to download, free (if you don't get paid version)
Cons: Might take a while for the antivirus to detect your viruses and remove them, might not work with advanced viruses

Some free antiviruses such as malwareBytes are better and are able to ward off malware, ranshomeware and several other viruses. In addition there are many other types of Antivirus that can be chosen, you can see it in the link below.
The best Antivirus 2020
https://sea.pcmag.com/antivirus/22/the-best-antivirus-protection-for-2020

- Windows Defender
You can scan for viruses with windows defender, and you will have the option of removing detected viruses or keeping them (don't know why'd you do that)
Pros: Free, easy to use
Cons: Also might not detect advanced viruses

Windows defender became the main virus and accompanied the second antivirus that I installed. This will be safer with double protection. When Antivirus or Windows Defender is able to ward off any viruses as long as their database is always updated. It is recommended to always be connected to the internet and the database is updated at all times to secure your device.

[Hateculd75]

Why do not you have two devices, the first contains sensitive data that leads to the loss of your money such as the private key and other sensitive data and another that you can carry what you want as long as there is not a lot of important information on it?
You can use an old computer or use a phone to do this.

[hatshepsut93]

- Don't download suspicious files
Kind of obvious, but just putting it out there
Pros: Quick, easy to do, free
Cons: Sometimes you just need to download these files

Use a good VM software if you absolutely must run some untrusted programs or open some files. There's also this OS called Qubes which has built-in virtualization, so it's pretty easy to setup multiple isolated environments and protect your important data from malware, as long as you don't get your main layer infected.

But generally, not downloading untrusted files, especially software is the most crucial part, because anti-virus programs can easily miss the newest or more sophisticated malware.

[Chikito]

- Using Virustotal
..
Cons: Sometimes there are "false positives" (says there is a virus when there isn't)

VirusTotal can't detect if new virus name inserted in the software. Also, Virustotal is gathering anti-virus companies only. Virus automatic detected if already on the database. for example; Comodo Valkyrie Verdict company detecting Malicious software, another anti-virus company mentioned clean. so, don't believe so much if tool says "No engines detected".

You can use an old computer or use a phone to do this.

If don't have both, you can use live USB or make dual OS on your PC by shrinking your harddisk.

[bob123]

As for me I love to download files with crack license, sometimes I also think of the risk that my laptop might be compromise but when I tried one time and nothing happens to my files, I then continue to download more files/programs from different forums, [...]

I hope this is some kind of a joke ?
You sir, are the next person to ask for help in the technical support section because of that.

[...] what's important here is to always read the review and download only those files with good reviews.

I hope you realize that this has nothing to do with the fact that the software includes a backdoor.
All those people (including you) care only about the functionality of the software. Instead of buying a license or just using a free open source alternative, you are risking all of your data.
If it works you'll find only positive ratings.

People using those cracks most probably are already infected. They just don't know and don't care.

[jseverson]

The best Antivirus 2020
https://sea.pcmag.com/antivirus/22/the-best-antivirus-protection-for-2020

- Windows Defender
You can scan for viruses with windows defender, and you will have the option of removing detected viruses or keeping them (don't know why'd you do that)
Pros: Free, easy to use
Cons: Also might not detect advanced viruses

Windows defender became the main virus and accompanied the second antivirus that I installed. This will be safer with double protection. When Antivirus or Windows Defender is able to ward off any viruses as long as their database is always updated. It is recommended to always be connected to the internet and the database is updated at all times to secure your device.

Honestly, it's much more ideal to recommend Windows Defender and Malwarebytes and nothing else. More choices is certainly better, but if nearly all of them gather your data, then it's probably best to stick to the lesser evil. They should all work similarly well 99% of the time.

Windows is already gathering your data anyway, so you may as well use their antivirus instead of bringing in another third party to the equation. Malwarebytes has excellent reputation, but while I don't think you should be trusting any company blindly, it's almost necessary if you ocassionally engage in risky behavior. Running them together seem to be the most recommended configuration, and running any more as "backups" is likely counterproductive.

[OcTradism]

Don't depend on any softwares to protect your funds because softwares need to be updated and there are always new threats released by bad guys. It does not happen too often but sometimes databases of AV software companies are outdated and don't have protections on newest and dangerous threats. In such attack events, if your computers are affected with the newest dangerous viruses, your data and your funds will highly be lost/ stolen.

Having a good and healthy websurfing is best.

[kevin_crypto]

As for me I love to download files with crack license, sometimes I also think of the risk that my laptop might be compromise but when I tried one time and nothing happens to my files, I then continue to download more files/programs from different forums, what's important here is to always read the review and download only those files with good reviews.

Never put downloading/accessing files in a relationship of equality with file destruction/ransomware.  Downloading a cracked game or software does not necessarily mean your computer will go crazy.

You are accessing modified executable files that in most cases are not open-source.  Bots exist, just visit YouTube for a minute and check how many fake Bitcoin giveaways there are out there.  Does that make the giveaways legit?  If you have used YT often before, have you ever seen suspicious videos with a lot of positive comments but if you wanted to comment it wouldn't allow you?  You can call that fake positive reviews.

It could be a very sneaky virus that slowly downloads your data into a computer, but undetectable yet by an AV.  Next thing you know, a few months/years later you create a BTC wallet and your money vanishes like magic.  Thank those 'good reviews' you followed.

[Nellayar]

Why do not you have two devices, the first contains sensitive data that leads to the loss of your money such as the private key and other sensitive data and another that you can carry what you want as long as there is not a lot of important information on it?
You can use an old computer or use a phone to do this.

In my case, I have one laptop and one mobile phone. I usually doing sensitive things such as transferring of funds in my laptop than in my phone. I did that because I use my phone to access in different websites and install some application due to bounty compliant. Another is that, i am more confident on my anti-virus installed in my laptop since I am using two anti-virus good for malware viruses and etc.


One more thing that I want to add is give some privacy with your stuffs. Do not let anyone hold your laptop without your permission because I had my macbook before and it was filled by viruses because my colleagues borrowed it when they are making presentations. I am thankful that I have no funds yet before because if I had, they are all gone right now. It`s useless, if other people holds your gadget because they may unknowingly put some virus of it because of ignorance.

[taufik123]

-snip-

Windows Defender has become the default antivirus in Windows OS, being the best for now as an antivirus that has been provided in the OS. then juxtaposed with Malwarebyte which you think to be the best. I believe that Malwarebyte has many advantages to being able to protect a device from malware.

I don't trust any company blindly, this is just the protection I need. I use Dual Antivirus configuration which is more productive and safer.
Malwarebyte or other antiviruses have their respective advantages. All depends on the choice of each individual, the most important is the main security and database updates that are always done.

[Asuspawer09]

-snip-

Windows Defender has become the default antivirus in Windows OS, being the best for now as an antivirus that has been provided in the OS. then juxtaposed with Malwarebyte which you think to be the best. I believe that Malwarebyte has many advantages to being able to protect a device from malware.

I don't trust any company blindly, this is just the protection I need. I use Dual Antivirus configuration which is more productive and safer.
Malwarebyte or other antiviruses have their respective advantages. All depends on the choice of each individual, the most important is the main security and database updates that are always done.

I uninstall my antivirus a long time ago and I think the windows defender is really the best antivirus that would work to every windows computer.

It's the best decision I've ever made on my computer to uninstall the antivirus and its feels like the computer is really more secured and also a lot faster, I honestly think that antivirus is just eating your computer memory.

[taufik123]

I uninstall my antivirus a long time ago and I think the windows defender is really the best antivirus that would work to every windows computer.

It's the best decision I've ever made on my computer to uninstall the antivirus and it feels like the computer is really more secured and also a lot faster, I honestly think that antivirus is just eating your computer memory.

Antivirus that only takes up your memory is an antivirus that may not be recommended or your memory is too small in capacity. Double protection will keep the device safer. I have experienced a horrific event where I only used Windows Defender and accidentally installed Ransomware which then made Windows Defender Off Protection. Ransomware causes my data to be encrypted and cannot be restored like all. There must be a ransom that I must give to be able to get my files back, but I did not do it, because of the high ransom they requested.

that's my reason why it's better to use additional Antivirus. Malwarebyte or other recommended antivirus will be my saviour.

Your security is your own responsibility. Everyone has their ways to make it safer.

[Welsh]

If you ever need to download untrusted software for whatever reason, you should only be doing that in an isolated environment, and should never allow that software to touch a space where your personal or work environment is. There are a number of malware analysis courses by COMPTIA which provide a good foundation. Virtualbox, vmware, and other software like this isn't enough to be considered "isolated". Either a physical break is needed or something like Qubes OS that handles the virtualization a little bit differently to virtual machine software.

[Velkro]

Removing Viruses

I dont agree with that part. If you are infected you are done. I mean you can't know if you removed virus correctly or not.
You can't know if AV saying it did actually did remove it. You can call it paranoia but best course of action if you get infected wipe out whole system and install new one clean.