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Like the mythical Greek trap, Trojan horse infections lure you in with a false sense of security before releasing a deluge onto your operating system. The worst part is it can be wrapped up in working software, so the damage is done long before you know what hit you.
With the right tools, you can remove a Trojan and any malware it happens to release. Preventative tools like antivirus software and a little safety information can save you the headache in the first place.
A Trojan is malware that you have to download physically. They can come from pirated software, email attachments, torrenting, file sharing, and any other method of transferring data from one device to another.
Once a Trojan is on your device, it releases viruses or other malicious software. This can encrypt and lock your data to request a ransom, delete data, use your machine as a soldier in a DDoS attack, and so much more. Like the Trojan horse in the ancient fable, you let it in, and then, bam, you’re hit with a ton of Greek soldiers.
Well, not really — you’re hit with malware, but it wreaks just as much havoc.
Trojans are often lumped together with viruses because they can contain viruses, but a Trojan and a virus are different. A virus can appear on your computer by opening a file, stumbling across the wrong website, or using an infected flash drive.
To install a Trojan, you have to perform an action like a download or even just say “yes” to a pop-up that then installs the Trojan. No matter if you want to remove malware, a Trojan horse virus, or just tighten up vulnerabilities, a good antivirus program will help you figure out what’s going on.
There are quite a few different types of Trojans out in the wild, like Backdoor Trojans, DDoS, and Downloader Trojans. Oftentimes, they’re hidden in a tool you download that’s supposed to be helpful. The tool might even work, but you’ve also released a Trojan onto your hard drive without knowing.
No matter where they come from, Trojans all have the same kinds of end goals. The main functions of Trojans are to:
You may download something you think is helpful software that also contains a Trojan. It can come in the form of an email attachment you open. Trojans also exist on websites that download something to your device after you visit and arbitrarily click “yes,” not knowing why the site is sending you something.
You can be hacked through a fake chat, infected network like public Wi-Fi, or downloaded games, music, AirDrops, and much more. We once accepted a flash drive from a creepy guy our friend knew who said he got us a movie we wanted to see. It didn’t contain a Trojan (we checked), but it absolutely could have.
For gamers, torrenting and P2P downloads from unrecognized user profiles may also contain Trojans, viruses, malware, ransomware, or keylogger programs that watch what you type online. There’s no limit to what can be installed on your device from a Trojan. If someone you don’t know is offering to send you a program for free or low cost, be wary.
Your Trojan could go a long while without being discovered. Since it can hide in working software, you might not even know you’ve downloaded it until weird things happen. Indicators of Trojan infection include:
Most of these warning signs are actions taken on your computer that you didn’t take yourself. If you share your device with other household members, don’t just assume they changed something. Communicate with each other to determine if you really are the victim of a Trojan attack.
If you’re suspicious it may be an attack, it’s best to run tests with reputable software to check for an infection.
We say reputable software because there is plenty of free antivirus software available that may actually be a hiding space for Trojans. Free software that doesn’t come from a reliable source is always a dicey choice, so making sure you use a reputable tool will help you identify and remove the issue.
Once you’ve chosen a good antivirus that recognizes and removes Trojans, you should perform a full scan.
Once you’ve identified that you do indeed have a Trojan on your computer, you’ll need to remove it. Before you remove Trojans, back up your data, preferably to a cloud storage service or external hard drive.
Be careful to scan the external hard drive so the malware can’t sneak onto it and reinstall itself on your computer. You’ll want to make sure your software and operating system are up-to-date.
Delete any programs you think may be suspicious, but be careful not to delete anything necessary to actually use your computer. Geek Squad has seen many a tear from a panicked customer who just deleted core components of their operating system. Finally, disconnect from the internet.
Most antivirus software will still run without an internet. You won’t have the most updated version if you leave your computer offline too long, but for the purpose of removing a Trojan, you should be fine.
Then, if you’re comfortable, reboot your computer in safe mode. This will help keep the virus from blocking your attempts to remove it. If you aren’t comfortable with safe mode, you can still try to remove the virus with your antivirus software. We would suggest running this process repeatedly until you get a clean scan.
A good antivirus software should do all the work for you. It should also remove all remnants of the Trojan, so you don’t have to worry about becoming reinfected. While removing a Trojan on your own is possible, we seriously recommend using a professional antivirus.
If you don’t, you could potentially delete an important process in your computer’s operating system and render your device inoperable.
First, you’ll want to run a scan on your entire system; no quick scans here. Do the whole thing. Depending on your software, it could take as little as five minutes or well over an hour. Make some tea, pop on a show you like, and it’ll likely be done before you know it.
Once your scan is complete, follow the instructions to quarantine and remove any nasties your program finds. When you’re done, reboot your computer and run the scan again. Repeat until you get a clean scan.
Including antivirus software is just a must in this age of hackers and ransomware. You’ll want to make sure you have a comprehensive antivirus that protects against viruses, Trojans, and all forms of malware, including ransomware, spyware, and adware.
This way, if you do accidentally pick up a Trojan, you have a line of defense protecting you. We’ve listed some of the best antivirus software:
Now that you’ve removed the Trojan, make sure you can protect yourself from getting another one. Preventative steps are fairly easy to institute and take minimal effort. This will save you a headache in the future if you add to your battle armor now.
The best way to remove a Trojan virus is with trusted antivirus software. Antivirus software has all the tools necessary to remove the Trojan without removing the necessary components of your computer or other device.
A Trojan can absolutely destroy your computer if the malware contained inside it is meant to do that. Trojans, like any other type of malware, can be deployed for a number of reasons. While some Trojans are only interested in stealing data, some can delete it completely, including processes necessary to run your computer.
To get rid of a Trojan virus for free, you’ll want to use a reputable free antivirus with Trojan removal capabilities. The best free antivirus software should contain everything you need to remove the Trojan. But you can also check out fan favorites like Avast, Malwarebytes, or Avira.
Cybercriminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their attack methods, and even the most savvy of techies can get hit. The most important thing is to stay vigilant and know the warning signs of infection. Once you can recognize something may be wrong, you can deploy your army of verified tools to fight the invasion.
Make sure you’re using as many preventative measures as possible to stay safe. By employing antivirus software, a VPN, and a firewall, you’ll increase your chances of avoiding infection. Also, make sure only to download verified software. Not only will you avoid Trojans and malware, but you’ll also get the support you need in case something goes wrong.
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