If you’re experiencing slowdowns, disconnects, or strange pop-ups on your laptop, you could be infected with a proxy virus. Fear not, though- there are a few simple steps you can take to remove the virus and get your laptop back to its former glory.
First Steps
Before you start your computer fix, you should make sure you have a backup of all important files and documents. This way, if something goes wrong during the removal process, you won’t lose anything essential.
Next, disconnect your computer from the internet and shut it down. You’ll need to start your laptop in safe mode so that you can perform the necessary repairs without the virus interfering.
Normally, you can start your computer in safe mode by repeatedly pressing the F8 key during start-up. However, if that doesn’t work, you can try holding down the Shift key while you click "Restart" under the Windows Start menu. After restarting, you’ll be given a menu of troubleshooting options. To start your computer in safe mode, click "Troubleshoot," then "Advanced Options," and then "Startup Settings." From there, click "Restart," and when your computer restarts, you’ll be able to choose "Safe Mode" from the options menu.
Delete Temporary Files
Once you’re in safe mode, you should first delete all temporary files from your laptop. These files can harbor viruses, so it’s important to clear them out before doing anything else.
To delete temporary files, type "Disk Cleanup" into the Windows search bar and open the Disk Cleanup utility. Check all the boxes to clear out any temporary files and other unnecessary data. This process may take some time, depending on how much data you have on your laptop.
Review Your Proxy Settings
The next step is to review your laptop’s proxy settings. The virus may have changed these settings, which could be causing some of your connectivity issues. To do this, open your internet browser and go to the "Internet Options" menu. Under the "Connections" tab, click on "LAN settings." Make sure that the box for "Use a proxy server for your LAN" is not checked. If it is checked, uncheck it and click "OK."
Scan for Malware
Now that you’ve cleared out temporary files and checked your proxy settings, it’s time to scan for malware. There are a variety of anti-malware programs available, and some are free while others require payment. Some of the most popular options include:
- Malwarebytes
- Norton AntiVirus
- Kaspersky Anti-Virus
- Avast Free Antivirus
Run a scan with your chosen anti-malware software and follow its instructions for removing any found viruses. It may take some time for the scan to complete, so be patient and let the software do its job.
Run a System Restore
If the above steps haven’t resolved the issue, you may need to perform a system restore. This will reset your laptop to an earlier state, before the proxy virus infected your system.
To perform a system restore, open the Windows Start menu and search for "System Restore." Click on the option to open the utility, then select a restore point from before the virus infection occurred. Follow the prompts to restore your laptop to that previous state.
Conclusion
If you’ve followed all these steps and your laptop is still experiencing issues, it may be time to bring it to a professional for repair. However, the above steps should be enough to remove most proxy viruses and get your laptop back to its normal functionality. Remember to always stay vigilant with your online activity, and keep your anti-virus software updated to prevent future infections.
Be First to Comment