How to Recover from a Virus or Worm

Whether you are running a commercial anti-virus software package or not, the best recovery method would be to:

1. backup all the data on the system,
2. reformat the computer's hard drive and
3. re-install the operating system that came with your computer.
4. During the re-installation process, be sure to set strong passwords for all accounts on the system.
5. Once a new Operating System (OS) has been installed and all necessary patches have been applied, reinstall software packages (Microsoft Office, games, etc.)
6. Reinstall your Anti-Virus and Firewall software.
7. Scan the cd, disk or drive that contains your data and remove any viruses or worms found.
8. Reinstall your data

If the machine will no longer boot up, which means you can not back up your data, try:

1. Start the pc in "safe mode"  Generally, you will see a message during boot up instructing you to press F8 to enter safe mode.  For more detailed instructions on starting in safe mode, click here.
2. Safe mode starts the operating system (if it can be found, which it would not if the hard drive has failed)