What to do when your PC or Mac is infected with a virus or malware
Next Steps PC or Mac is infected with a virus or malware A malware or virus scare is stressful, but staying calm and following a few simple steps makes a big difference. This guide tells you what to do (and what not to do) right away, how to preserve evidence, and when it’s time to call an IT professional like Optimised Computing for an on‑site visit in Herefordshire. First things first — don’t panic, don’t follow on‑screen instructions from popups If a scary popup demands payment, or a message commands you to “call this number” or “install this tool”, ignore it. These are almost always scams that make the problem worse. Never pay money or give remote‑access codes to strangers. Paying does not guarantee recovery and encourages further attacks. Don’t try dramatic fixes you’ve never used before (random registry cleaners, unfamiliar “anti‑malware” tools from popups). Well‑meaning but incorrect actions can destroy evidence or make recovery harder. Immediate steps to limit damage (do ...