Best Free Antivirus Windows 8.1
Extremely slow computer performance, sudden barrage of pop-up ads, and appearance of unknown files — these are the signs of a PC infiltrated by malware. Originally called ‘malicious software,’ malware is any piece of software designed to create major damage to devices in the form of Viruses, Trojans, spyware, and ransomware.
Malware is a dangerous threat not only to your computer, but also to anyone’s personal data. New types of malware continue to develop over the years, and it’s frequently used by cybercriminals around the globe.
While this plague generally results to total destruction of files or even the whole computer system, it could still be disposed by using several methods like running best free antivirus Windows 8.1. Below are some tips on how to get rid of malware.
Disconnect from the Internet
Once you notice the symptoms of a malware infection, disconnect your computer from the Internet. This way, you can stop the virus from stealing your data or spreading itself further. You should go offline after downloading and installing the antivirus app. Once you are sure that the malware has been removed, you can connect back to the Internet.
Observe the Activity Monitor
Checking your computer’s activity monitor will allow you to observe how each process is affecting your PC performance. Look at the CPU tab to see which program is taking up the most resources. If you find the suspicious app, close it from the activity monitor and then delete it or uninstall it.
Enter Safe Mode
If there are signs that your PC is infected with malware, enter Microsoft’s safe mode. This way, the malware will not be able to spread and leak your data.
The Microsoft’s safe mode allows your PC to load basic PC programs and services. If any malware is set to load automatically when Windows starts, entering in this mode will immediately halt the spread. The infected files will be easier to get rid of since they are no longer running.
If you are using Windows 10, simply click the Start button and select the Power button, but don’t click anything — hold the Shift key and click Reboot.The full-screen menu will immediately appear, select Troubleshooting, then Advanced Options, then proceed to Startup Settings. Another window will appear, then click Restart. Upon the appearance of menu with a numbered startup options, select number 4: Safe Mode.
Delete temporary files
Now that your PC is in Safe mode, running a virus scan will be fitting. However, you will need to delete all your temporary files to speed up the virus scanning and free up disk space. Deleting temporary and unnecessary files can also clean some malware. To use the Disk Cleanup utility, just type Disk Cleanup in the search bar.
Download Best Free Antivirus Windows 8.1
Make sure to also run your best free antivirus Windows 8.1. There are two types of antivirus programs: on-demand scanner and a real-time antivirus program. Real-time antivirus run in the background and constantly scans for malware. On the other hand, an on-demand scanner watches for malware when you open the program manually and run a scan.
If you think your PC is infected, it is highly recommended to initially install an on-demand scanner and then proceed to a real-time antivirus program.
Comodo Internet Security
For the best free antivirus Windows 8.1, try Comodo Internet Security (CIS). This software delivers patent-pending auto-containment, where unknown executables and other files that request runtime privileges are automatically run in a virtual container that does not have access to the host system’s resources or user data. They run smoothly and without any complications or lag time on the host system, making it seamless from the end-user perspective, but they cannot damage or infect the native system.
It also scans endpoints against a massive list of known good and bad files compiled from years, even those files that you have initially stored on your trash bin. One of its unique characteristics is the use of API hooking, DLL injection prevention, and more to identify indicators of compromise while keeping the endpoint safe and without affecting usability.
It features automated containerization, certificate-based whitelisting, memory firewall, VirusScope behavior analyzer, integrated human analysis, embedded code detection, virus free warranty, unlimited expert virus removal, and secure shopping. It can also support the following operating systems: Windows 10 Support (both 32-bit and 64-bit versions), Windows 8 (both 32-bit and 64-bit versions), and Windows 7 (both 32-bit and 64-bit versions.
If you suspect your computer is infected, act as soon as possible to prevent the spread of malware and protect your personal information.
