I am a student, how can I check for or remove viruses, spyware, and other junk from my computer?

Below are some steps you can take to protect your computer, fix current problems, and prevent future virus-related and spyware attacks:

Antivirus

Windows 10 has built-in antivirus software called Defender, which should do the job. If you feel additional security is needed, review antivirus solutions such as: https://www.antivirussoftwareguide.com/best-free-antivirus

Anti-Malware

Download, install, and run anti-malware tools (such as free Malwarebytes Anti-malware) to remove various types of malware that may be on your machine. A Google search for anti-malware tools will help you quickly find the download pages. These programs are free. To see a comparison chart visit: http://anti-spyware-review.toptenreviews.com. Once you install the software, be sure to update with it the latest virus definitions.

CCleaner

CCleaner free version is a great tool for clearing cache files and cleaning up other "stuff": https://www.ccleaner.com/

Spam Email

Do NOT open email attachments unless you are sure where they came from and what is contained in the attachment. Do NOT open attachments with .EXE, .SCR, and .BAT extensions.
Microsoft's statement: As a rule, always treat e-mail attachments with caution. Because mass-mailer viruses such as Bagle hijack e-mail accounts and send messages to known contacts, viruses can initially appear to be legitimate messages. If you cannot confirm with the sender that a message is valid and that an attachment is safe, delete the message immediately. If you receive a questionable message that purports to be from Microsoft, you should be aware that Microsoft never distributes software through e-mail.

Additional information:

http://www.microsoft.com/security is a good resource for understanding and responding to Microsoft Windows related virus and security issues. Here, you can learn about the three steps for securing your system in more detail.

If you need any further assistance please view our Service Catalog for other Knowledge Base articles or contact the IT Help Desk via Phone: 509.359.2247 or Email: helpdesk@ewu.edu. Please keep in mind that the Help Desk is very limited in providing assistance to personally owned computers, but we may have some helpful resources to direct you to, beyond what is listed above.