How to Remove Malware Threat Pop-Ups

by Thomas King

computer virus image by Marina Bartel from Fotolia.com

If your computer has suddenly become flooded with malware threat pop-ups, it is likely infected with a fake antivirus virus. These viruses disguise themselves as legitimate antivirus programs and notify you that your computer is infected with malware. It then attempts to procure your financial information under the guise of removing the malware. In addition, these viruses may slow your computer, change your Internet and desktop settings and decrease your available memory.

Automatic Removal

Step 1

Open your antivirus program. If you do not have an antivirus program, consider downloading Windows Defender or AVG, which are free antivirus programs. See resources below.

Step 2

Update your antivirus program. Most antivirus programs include an "Update" button. If you do not know how to update your antivirus program, check the manufacturer's Web page. Keeping your antivirus program up to date is necessary to detect and remove the latest viruses.

Step 3

Run a full scan of your computer using your antivirus program. A full scan searches your entire computer for viruses, as opposed to just the areas that are most likely to contain viruses. If your antivirus does not detect and delete the virus causing the problem, continue to the next step.

Manual Removal

Step 1

Hold down the "Ctrl," "Alt" and "Delete" buttons at the same time. Click the "Task Manager," then the "Processes" tabs.

Step 2

Determine which processes listed are associated with a virus by typing the name of the process into the Process Library search box. See resource below. End all of the processes associated with the virus by right-clicking on the process and selecting "End Process."

Step 3

Click on the "Start" menu, then click on the "Search Files and Folders" box.

Step 4

Search for and delete all of the files associated with the virus by right-clicking on it and selecting delete. Most files associated with the virus will include the name of the virus, which is usually displayed somewhere on the pop-up windows.

About the Author

Thomas King is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law where he served as managing editor of the "Pittsburgh Journal of Environmental and Public Health Law." He currently lives in Aberdeen, Washington where he writes and practices law.

Photo Credits

  • computer virus image by Marina Bartel from Fotolia.com