Step 1 - Turn off System Restore
System Restore is a feature of Microsoft Windows XP®, Windows Vista®, and Windows 7® that monitors changes to your hard drive and allows you to restore it to an earlier state. It is recommended that you turn off System Restore to avoid re-infecting your computer once it’s clean.
To turn off System Restore in Windows 7® and Windows Vista®:
1. Open System by clicking the Start button, right-clicking Computer, and then clicking Properties.
2. In the left pane, click System Protection. If you’re prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
3. Under Protection Settings, click the disk where protection is turned on, and then click Configure.
4. Click Turn off system protection, and then click OK. Repeat steps three and four for each drive that has protection turned on.
5. Click OK.
To turn off System Restore in Windows XP®
1. Click Start, right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
2. In the System Properties dialog box, click the System Restore tab.
3. Click to select the Turn off System Restore check box. Or, click to select the Turn off System Restore on all drives check box.
4. Click OK.
5. Click Yes to confirm that you want to turn off System Restore:
Step 2 - Scan Computer Using Installed Antivirus Software
If you have antivirus software installed in your computer (Charter Security Suite™, Microsoft® Security Essentials, Norton®, McAfee®, etc.), download the latest virus definitions and scan your computer’s hard drive(s) for viruses.
Note: If your antivirus is expired, you will not be able to download the latest virus definition and your scan will not be effective.
Step 3 - Perform an Online Virus Scan
If you do not have an antivirus program installed or if it’s expired, scan your computer using an online virus scanner. Online virus scanners are Internet based scanners that will search your computer for viruses and most will attempt to clean it if viruses are found.
Click here to scan your computer using the Charter Security Suite™ Online Virus Scanner.
Step 4 - Run a Virus Removal Tool
If the online virus scan is unsuccessful in removing all the viruses, try downloading and running a virus removal tool. Microsoft® offers its Malicious Software Removal Tool and F-Secure® offers its Easy Clean Removal Tool free of charge. Click on the links below for addition information on how each tool works.
Step 5 - Manual Virus Removal
Not all viruses can be removed by utilizing the above methods, so manual removal of the virus may be required. If you know the name of the virus that is infecting your computer, perform an online search with the key word "removal" in front of the virus name. You will find a wealth of information on how to manually remove the virus – many from legitimate sources but some that are fraudulent. So use caution when clicking on links and be sure to only take advice from the reputable ones.
Note: Manually removing a virus can be a tedious and a difficult task. If you do not feel comfortable with the process, take your computer to a professional for cleaning.
Step 6 - Last Resort: Reformat the Hard Drive
If all else fails, reformatting your hard drive will remove most viruses but it will also delete all of your personal files. It is recommended that you backup your important files on an external hard drive, CD or USB thumb drive prior to reformatting. Due to the data loss involved with this process, this step should only be used as a last resort. Before you begin this process, have your operating system or restore disk handy and you may need to contact your pc manufacture for assistance.
Step 7 - Turn on System Restore
Once your computer is virus free, it is recommended that you turn back on System Restore. To complete this task, follow the steps outlined below.
To turn on System Restore in Windows® 7 and Vista:
1. Open System by clicking the Start button, clicking Control Panel, clicking System and Maintenance, and then clicking System.
2. In the left pane, click System Protection. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
3. To turn on System Protection for a hard disk, select the check box next to the disk, and then click OK.
To turn on System Restore in Windows® XP:
1. Click Start, right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
2. In the System Properties dialog box, click the System Restore tab
3. Click to clear the Turn off System Restore check box. Or, click the Turn off System Restore on all drives check box.
4. Click OK.
Step 8 - Maintaining a Healthy Computer
To help protect your sensitive information and to have an enjoyable Internet experience, it’s important to keep your computer free of viruses and other malicious programs. The following recommendations will help you maintain a healthy computer.
- Install a comprehensive security program.
The foundation to any secure computer is to have antivirus, anti-spyware, and firewall programs. Charter offers the comprehensive, all-in-one Charter Security Suite™ to its Charter Internet™ subscribers. For more information about and to download the security suite, please visit: charter.net/security.†
- Keep your operating system and installed programs up-to-date.
Microsoft® releases updates to its supported operating systems on the second Tuesday of every month. It is recommended that you set up your operating system to install these updates automatically or updates can be obtained by visiting update.microsoft.com.
- Consider upgrading your operating system.
If you are running an operating system that is no longer supported by its manufacturer, you are potentially leaving your computer vulnerable to security risks. Many malicious programs take advantage of holes in your operating system. By upgrading to a supported operating system, you will be able to help close the security holes and reduce your risk of attack.
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†Charter Internet™ Express, Plus, Max and Ultra customers only. Must be a Charter Internet™ customer to download the Charter Security Suite™. Internet access speeds vary. Charter does not guarantee data will be secure.
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