Whether your device slows down or you notice your screen filled with ads, it could be infected with malware. Trojans are a particular type of malware that can be difficult to detect and remove.
A Trojan virus comes from the hollowed-out wooden horse the Greeks used to smuggle soldiers into Troy. Like the horses, Trojan viruses operate stealthily to carry out hostile attacks while you’re unaware.
Restart Your Computer
Whenever you suspect that your computer is infected with Trojan malware, the first thing you should do before trying to remove it is restart your machine. It will help to ensure that any changes made by the virus are wiped out from memory and that your system is clean.
Like any other type of malware, Trojans often hide themselves from detection by posing as regular programs or background processes that aren’t malicious. Some even turn off security software to prevent you from noticing they’re there. It is known as “rootkit” malware, and it’s a hazardous type of malware because it hides deep in the system and makes it hard to detect by anti-malware software or even most users.
Keep your Windows operating system up to date and install any updates as soon as they become available to protect your computer from rootkits. This is one method for trojan virus removal. It will also increase the likelihood that a patch will be provided to disable a trojan before it can infect your device.
Next, you should run a scan with an anti-malware program. After the program has finished scanning your machine, it will display a list of files it found to be infected with malware. You should check this list carefully and only delete the specific file you’re looking for, ensuring you don’t accidentally remove any vital system files.
Check for Any Suspicious Programs
Trojans can hide in many places, masquerading as a legitimate program or a background process. They can also come from hacked Wi-Fi networks, clicking unsafe links, or downloading programs that bundle Trojan malware with other software (such as free applications).
To remove Trojans hiding on your computer, reboot your device into safe mode. This mode launches only the basic programs needed for Windows to operate, which makes it easier to spot unusual processes.
After restarting, open the “Control Panel” and select “Uninstall a program.” Check all installed programs for ones you don’t recognize, then uninstall them individually. Be sure to delete any system restore points associated with the malware.
If you see a program running in the Startup folder that consumes many memory or CPU resources, it’s likely malware and should be stopped. You can also run a quick scan with Malwarebytes to find any malicious files.
If your anti-malware software doesn’t detect any infections or you want to be extra sure, run a full virus scan with another tool like VirusTotal. It will look for viruses and other threats that may have gone unnoticed. Be sure to read any results carefully and follow the removal instructions provided.
Disable Startup Items
Before removing any suspicious programs, the first thing to do is disable them from running on startup. Trojans can hide in many places on your computer, including those that run at startup. They can also take advantage of programs that start automatically and use them to install more malicious software on your device.
Disabling startup items can make a big difference in the performance of your computer. It is because a program that starts at a startup uses valuable resources and can slow down your PC. You can access the list of startup programs in older versions of Windows by pressing the Win+R keys and typing msconfig into the box that opens up. It will open the system configuration window, where you can see all the programs that can launch with Windows. Uncheck the check boxes for any programs you don’t want to load on startup, and click OK to save your changes.
Some programs, such as antivirus or firewall software, must be run on startup to protect your device. If you don’t need a specific program to run on startup, you can try removing it using the Startup Apps/Tasks tool in Windows or editing your registry (see the warning below). Always back up your registry before making any edits. Be careful when editing your registry; a mistake could cause your computer to fail to boot or even corrupt your operating system.
Run a Scan
Once Trojan malware invades, your device can steal data or perform other malicious activity. Some Trojans, like ransomware, encrypt files and demand payment to decrypt them. Others, such as cryptojackers, use your device to mine cryptocurrency on your behalf. Other Trojans may turn on your computer, mobile phone camera, or microphone to spy on you.
You can protect yourself from these viruses by downloading free security software, including antivirus and anti-malware protection, exercising caution when browsing websites and downloading apps, and avoiding pirating sites and opening infected attachments. However, if you have already been infected, it’s essential to know how to run a scan for Trojan viruses on your computer and remove them before they do any damage.
Trojan virus detection is usually straightforward. A quick virus scan with your preferred security software is the best way to see if you have a Trojan infection. Checking and updating your antivirus software regularly is also a good idea.
If you’re still getting Trojan spyware alerts, a more robust system scanner might be required to identify and remove the infection. One option is to download Kaspersky Rescue Disk, which can be burned to a CD or DVD or copied to a USB drive to diagnose and identify malware on your system. If you don’t want to spend money on an antivirus program, it’s possible to find a free version of Malwarebytes that will help you detect and remove Trojan infections.
