I have been browsing some bad websites, and when I clicked one link I think something got installed on my laptop and ever since I am getting popups that I had not been getting before. What do I do now? What is the best way to remove a virus? Where do I start? Any help is much appreciated.
Hehe, hi, the best way to remove a virus is not to get one by not going to bad websites.
Ok, here are a few howtos:
a) Get antivirus software. See this link for a list of anti-virus software and links to websites.
What's the best free anti-virus?
http://www.maxi-pedia.com/forum/index.php?topic=132.0
Good anti-virus software should be able not only to protect against viruses but also to remove existing ones.
b) If you want to get technical, try
Control Panel -> Programs and see if there is some strange program that you do not recognize. Google up that name and then uninstall.
c) The virus can be also in your browser add on. In case you are using MS Internet Explorer, go to
Tools -> Internet Options -> Programs -> Manage Ad-Ons.
d) If you want to get even more technical, do CTRL+ALT+DEL and go to
Task Manager. Go to Processes. You will see a list of processes in this screen. If you have a virus, it could be caused by one of these processes.
e) You can also find viruses in your Msconfig. Go to
Start menu -> Run -> msconfig. Go to the Startup tab and see if there is some weird program.
f) One good tool to find viruses is called
HijakcThis. Google it up.
g) And if you really need some serious help, try searching registry, but that would be advanced stuff.
Cheers.