Surely many were faced with such a problem when a computer was infected with viruses and malware that interrupted its operation. The only way to solve this situation is to clean the PC of all viruses using specialized software. Later in the article we will talk in detail about the best programs for treating a computer from viruses and malicious files that will definitely help in any situation.
Virus Removal Tool
So, the first program in this list is the Virus Removal Tool. The developer of this software is Kaspersky Lab, which, if someone is not in the know, created the very Kaspersky antivirus. You can download the program for treating your computer Virus Removal Tool from the official site, absolutely free. The file weighs 140 MB, the installation of the utility is not required. Let's take a closer look at the Virus Removal Tool.
Description of Virus Removal Tool
The interface of the Virus Removal Tool is quite simple. Immediately after launch, a small window will appear in front of the user in which it is proposed to start the scan or first select the sections for scanning through the "Change settings" button. Also on top of the program window there are two more buttons that allow you to view the scan report and open quarantine, where all detected threats will be placed.
The program works to cure your computer of viruses and other unwanted files simply. Immediately after starting a scan, the Virus Removal Tool starts a detailed analysis and search for all available threats on the computer. Scanning time can be completely different and depends on several factors:
- computer power;
- the number of selected sections to scan;
- system load at the time of scanning.
In any case, no matter what settings are selected, the scan will have to wait. In the end, when the analysis and search is completed, the program will display a window with all detected threats. The user will only have to choose the action opposite each file found, for example, decide whether he wants to delete, quarantine or do nothing, and then click on the "Continue" button.
That, in fact, is all that relates to the work of a program for treating a computer, the Virus Removal Tool.
VRT disadvantages briefly
Of the obvious disadvantages of the Virus Removal Tool, it is worth noting a slightly weak virus signature database, because of which the utility may not recognize all threats. VRT is also not always able to detect malware, especially if it was recently released.
Another minus is that the Virus Removal Tool does not work with browser files, where various tracker viruses also often sit. VRT does not have any more serious flaws.
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
The next program on your computer’s treatment is Malwarebytes Anti-Malware. This software is produced by Malwarebytes Corporation and is intended primarily for scanning and searching on a computer for malicious programs that can cause significant harm and damage to the entire system. In addition, Malwarebytes scans for viruses, which will also be neutralized. You can download the software installation file on the official website of the developer. The program weighs 78.5 MB.
The only thing to remember: if some kind of antivirus is already installed on the computer, then at the time of installing Malwarebytes it is advisable to disable it, because program conflicts can be caused.
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Description
The user interface of the program is very pleasing to the eye and easy to understand. The program window is divided into two parts. In the first, which is smaller, there are tabs between which you can switch. There are five tabs in total:
- Information panel.
- Verification
- Quarantine.
- Reports.
- Parameters.
Scanning and disinfection of the computer are carried out through the second tab, that is, "Scan". In the “Settings” tab, you can configure the program as you wish, for example, add certain files to exclusions so that they are not accidentally marked as malicious, enable / disable certain options when scanning, protecting, etc. It is strongly recommended that those in this at least understands something, otherwise you can "break firewood."
All information about the scanning process is displayed on the second part of the program window, which occupies almost all the remaining space.
Now about how the utility for treating a computer works. First of all, you need to start scanning on the "Scan" tab using the corresponding button. The verification mode will start, during which the memory, system files, system partition, autorun section and many other interesting places for the program will be scanned.
If Malwarebytes detects a threat during the scan, it will immediately notify the user about it, but you can do something with a malicious file only after the scan is completed. As for the scan time, it all depends on the power of the computer, the number of files to scan, the load on the system, the number of hard drives, etc. In general, everything takes about 10-15 minutes, not more.
Upon completion of the scan, the user is given a report on the work, as well as the choice of what to do with the detected threats: delete, quarantine, ignore. The file storage paths are also displayed, which is also very useful, because you can see where the “legs grow” from.
Cons of the program
By its functionality, Malwarebytes is a very good program, but there is still one fat minus in it - a trial period of use. Yes, despite its merits, Malwarebytes remains a paid program, you can use it for free only for 14 days. The cost of a license for 1 year starts from 2000 thousand rubles. Yes, the functionality here is more advanced than in the Virus Removal Tool, but not everyone agrees to pay more than 2000 thousand rubles every year.
Hitmanpro
Another program for treating a computer for viruses is HitmanPro. The developer - the British company Sophos, which specializes in software for protecting PCs - for a reason called its creation. For those who don’t know, Hitman is the hero of a computer game, a hired killer who calmly “removes” the “targets” ordered by him. HitmanPro also works by the same analogy - the program scans the PC, finds the threat and eliminates it. You can download HitmanPro from the official site for free. The program weighs a little - only 11 MB. No installation required.
About HitmanPro
Well, now a little more about HitmanPro. The program, as mentioned above, does not require installation. When you first start the user meets a nice and simple interface in Russian. There are few buttons on the start screen: “Buy license”, “Next”, “Settings” and “Exit”. Immediately it is worth saying that the program is paid and in trial mode offers use for 30 days. After that you will have to buy a license.
As for the settings, they are quite extensive. The user can make the necessary changes to the parameters even before the start of scanning, which is often useful.
In order to start the first test, you need to click on the "Next" button several times. After 2-3 clicks, the PC starts scanning for threats. Actually, here, perhaps, it is worth listing the main features of HitmanPro, one of the best programs for treating a computer:
- Antivirus databases. To search for and eliminate threats, HitmanPro uses the achievements of the world's leading antivirus software companies: Kaspersky Lab, SophosLab, and Bitdefender.
- Small amount of consumed resources. HitmanPro practically does not load the system during operation, so you can use the program even on weak PCs.
- Always at hand. HitmanPro works without installation. Computer treatment for viruses can be safely carried out from a portable medium - a disk or flash drive. All that needs to be done is to dump the file downloaded from the official site to a CD or USB flash drive and use it as necessary.
- Knows about all new viruses. The program is a cloud-based antivirus, which means that before starting a scan, it connects to SophosLab servers and “learns” about all the threats, viruses, malware, etc.
- Cope where others are powerless. Due to the fact that HitmanPro is not installed in the system, it cannot be controlled, infected or blocked by viruses, which allows it to cope where other protection software turned out to be powerless.
That, in fact, is all that relates to the features of this program for treating a computer.
As for the principle of work, then everything is simple. As soon as the system scan is started, HitmanPro will check all the main sections of the system where viruses and other malicious programs can and do "hide". Upon completion of the scan, the user will be able to familiarize themselves with the scan results and decide what to do with the detected threats. For some files, HitmanPro gives an explanation of whether it is a virus or not. Also, in some cases, the program exposes the recommended actions that need to be done with one or another infected file. As they say, everything is simple and clear.
disadvantages
Now, just a few words about the shortcomings of the program, more precisely, about one shortcoming - the trial period of action. 30 days is very short in order to take full advantage of the program’s benefits; moreover, not everyone will be able to pay $ 25 (a little more than 1600 rubles) for a license every year. Otherwise, there are no significant minuses for HitmanPro.