Symptoms of Viruses

• Your computer suddenly slows down. This can be more noticeable if your computer is connected to a network.
• Any unexpected changes in the content of your files.
• The virus may reduce security, which may allow intruders to remotely access your computer or network.
• Windows Operating System spontaneously restarts.
• Programs that used to run smooth now stop responding frequently. If you try to remove and reinstall the software the issue continues to occur.

The following is an in-depth explanation about anti-virus programs:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antivirus_software

Although details may vary between packages, anti-virus software scans files or your computer's memory for certain patterns that may indicate an infection. The patterns it looks for are based on the signatures or definitions of known viruses. Virus authors are continually releasing new and updated viruses so it is important that you have the latest definitions installed on your computer. Once you have installed an anti-virus package, you should scan your entire computer periodically.

Symptoms of spyware/malware

• Performing a web search always takes you to an unrequested strange page.
• You are unable to stop the excessive popup windows that appear out of nowhere.
• You are redirected to a strange site instead of a 404 error page when a web page is not found.
• You receive frequent alerts from your firewall about an unknown program or process trying to access the internet.
• You receive a lot of bounced email and see evidence of emails being sent without your knowledge.
• Your browsing speed becomes very slow since you installed the "ultimate search companion."
• Strange and unexpected toolbars appear in your web browser and you do not know how they got there.
• The Java console appears in your task bar when you have not requested any java-specific content.

The following is an in-depth explanations about malware/spyware program:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malware
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spyware

(mt) Media Temple does not support or endorse any anti-virus or spyware/malware removal programs. The following URLs are simple keyword searches from Google:

Anti-virus removal programs

http://www.google.com/searchhl=en&q=antivirus+removal+programs&btnG=Search

Spyware removal programs

http://www.google.com/searchhl=en&q=SpyWare+removal+programs&btnG=Search

Malware removal programs

http://www.google.com/searchhl=en&q=MalWare+removal+programs&btnG=Search

Online spyware removal

Online Spyware Removal

Resources

• Security and Hack Recovery
• (mt):Security resources