You click on a link, download a file, or visit a website—and suddenly your computer starts acting strange. Popups appear out of nowhere. The browser redirects to weird sites. Performance tanks. You might have malware.

Here’s what to do, and when it makes sense to call a professional.

Signs you might have malware

Not every computer problem is malware, but these symptoms often indicate infection:

  • Unexpected popups – Especially ones warning about viruses or offering to “fix” your computer
  • Browser hijacking – Your homepage or search engine changed without your permission
  • New toolbars or programs – Software you didn’t install appearing
  • Dramatic slowdown – Computer suddenly much slower than normal
  • Unusual network activity – Internet seems slow, or your router shows constant activity
  • Disabled security software – Antivirus won’t run or update
  • Ransom messages – Files encrypted, demands for payment (this is serious—stop and get help)

What NOT to do

Before we cover solutions, here’s what to avoid:

Don’t pay for anything. Scammers use fake virus warnings to trick you into paying for useless “cleaning” software—or worse, giving them remote access to your computer.

Don’t call phone numbers from popups. Legitimate security software never asks you to call a phone number. These are tech support scams.

Don’t panic-download random software. Searching “virus removal” leads to as many malicious programs as legitimate ones.

Don’t keep using the computer normally. Some malware spreads through your network, infects backups, or steals data the longer it runs.

Safe removal steps

If you’re comfortable with basic computer tasks, try these steps:

Step 1: Disconnect from the internet

This prevents the malware from communicating with its servers or spreading to other devices.

Step 2: Boot into Safe Mode

Safe Mode loads Windows with minimal programs, preventing most malware from running.

  • Windows 10/11: Hold Shift while clicking Restart, then choose Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart > Safe Mode with Networking

Step 3: Run legitimate security tools

Use these trusted, free tools (download on another computer if needed):

  • Malwarebytes Free – Excellent at finding malware that antivirus misses
  • Windows Defender Offline Scan – Microsoft’s built-in tool for stubborn infections
  • ADWCleaner – Removes adware and browser hijackers

Run full scans with each tool. Remove anything flagged as malicious.

Step 4: Check browser extensions

Malicious browser extensions often survive malware scans. In your browser:

  1. Go to the extensions/add-ons menu
  2. Remove anything you don’t recognize or didn’t install
  3. Reset your homepage and search engine to your preferred defaults

Step 5: Check startup programs

Malware often installs itself to run at startup. In Windows:

  1. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager
  2. Click the Startup tab
  3. Disable anything suspicious (research names you don’t recognize)

When to get professional help

Some situations warrant calling a professional immediately:

  • Ransomware – If your files are encrypted, don’t try to fix it yourself. There may be decryption options, but wrong moves can destroy your data.
  • Banking or identity theft concerns – If you’ve entered financial information on a compromised computer, you need help securing accounts.
  • Recurring infections – If malware keeps coming back after removal, there’s likely a persistent infection or rootkit.
  • Business computers – The stakes are higher, and there may be compliance implications.
  • You’re not confident – If any of this feels overwhelming, that’s okay. Better to get help than make things worse.

Prevention going forward

Once your computer is clean:

  • Keep software updated – Many infections exploit outdated software
  • Use reputable security software – Windows Defender is actually decent now; add Malwarebytes for extra protection
  • Be skeptical of downloads – Only download software from official sources
  • Watch for phishing – Don’t click links in unexpected emails
  • Use an ad blocker – Many infections come through malicious ads

Need help in Colorado?

If you’re in Colorado Springs or Denver and dealing with a malware infection, reach out. I can assess the situation, clean your system properly, and set up protection to prevent future infections.

Don’t pay a ransom or call a scam phone number—get legitimate help first.