How to Recover from a Virus Attack

Steven Martin reveals what to do when a virus penetrates your network

Once a virus has penetrated your security defences it can quickly rip through your computer network, destroying files, corrupting data, rendering applications useless, and in general causing an expensive lull in productivity.

Many small and medium businesses are aware of the dangers of an attack and the need for anti-virus software, but not all would be so sure about how to recover once a virus has hit.

If your business has suffered a virus attack and your network has been compromised, you’ll need to act fast in order to prevent the virus from spreading to other computers on your network.

Here are some recommendations on how to quickly get your small business back up and running again:

Disconnect and Isolate. If you suspect one of your computers has suffered a virus attack, immediately quarantine the computer by physically disconnecting it, to avoid infecting other computers connected to the network. If you suspect other computers may be infected as well, even if they aren’t displaying any symptoms, still treat them like they are. It’s counter-productive to clean one machine while an infected computer is still connected to the network.

Focus on the clean up. Once you have physically disconnected the computer, remove the malicious code using virus removal tools that are written for the specific virus that’s causing the damage. Many of these tools can be found on the internet. In addition, your anti-virus software should have updates or patches available for the specific security threat. If your antivirus software hasn’t been updated recently, be sure to update it.

Reinstall your operating system. After a virus attack, damages may range from changed file names to obliterated files to permanently disabled software applications. The extent of damage depends on the particular virus. If your operating system is completely destroyed, you’ll need to reinstall your operating system by using the quick restore CD that came with your computer. This will restore your computer to its original configuration, meaning that you’ll lose any applications you may have installed or data files you may have saved. So, before you begin the reinstallation process, make sure you have all the necessary information handy (e.g. the original software, licenses, registration, and serial numbers.)