The worm might also delete important files to make room for additional copies of itself.Īdditionally, the worm might be equipped with a payload - this might be to open a backdoor to the PC for hackers or to implant additional malware to steal sensitive information like usernames and passwords, or to use the computer as part of a distributed denial-of-service (DDOS) attack. To help prevent infections by and to get rid of computer worms: Use antivirus and.
#Get rid of a worm virus software
This can be destructive on its own because, in time, it will consume all available system resources and storage space. Anti-virus and anti-spyware software are helpful, but must be kept.
#Get rid of a worm virus how to
If you suspect your computer may have been infected, it is. How to remove a Trojan, Virus, Worm, or other Malware Malware - Malware is programming or files that are developed for the purpose of doing harm. Strictly speaking, that's all the worm does - any malicious activity would be a result of the worm's "payload." Some worms have no malicious "payload" at all and simply replicate themselves. Only the best antivirus software can help detect and remove certain types of computer worms. Worms might also be able to infect any device that connects to that computer automatically. Some are programmed to automatically infect any computer on the same local network. Less commonly, worms can be installed if you visit a compromised website and click a link that activates the worm.Īfter the worm has been installed on your computer, it goes to work making copies of itself. A worm can be embedded in a compromised email attachment or link within the message and often comes as part of a phishing scheme, where the infected file is masquerading as something legitimate, like a document or spreadsheet. The primary vectors of infection are email and websites. Like any malware, a computer worm requires a human being to initiate the infection. The safest and most effective way to disinfect a computer that has been infected by an Internet worm is to use a dedicated removal tool. Certain types of software, including VPN software or other virus software, may get wrapped up in Norton’s sticky snare. If you opt for Power Eraser to get rid of your virus or malware problem, make sure to carefully review the report before fully deleting anything. It's similar to a virus, but a worm is somewhat more sophisticated, able to proliferate without any human intervention. However, that aggression means it may result in a number of false alarms. Malware that, once it has infected a computer, continues to replicate itself on the infected computer as well as automatically infecting other computers it comes in contact with.