(Booting into safe mode with Windows 10 is different than older versions. To remove a virus from your PC, disconnect from the internet and restart your computer in safe mode. Before beginning the process, make sure your antivirus (if applicable) and on-demand malware scanning tools are updated. If you have malware on your PC that isn't removed by any of the Microsoft tools, you can delete the files manually. Microsoft also offers a Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool.

The Process Explorer and Autorun tools check for unusual files that could point to malware and allow you to 'kill' the executable. To verify your PC is infected, Microsoft offers various free tools for download on its Sysinternals tools webpage. The bottom line is something doesn't seem right. Maybe it's running slowly or experiencing an unusual number of pop-ups, for example. You first suspect your computer is infected for a reason. Malware can and will damage your computer, but you can minimize that damage by catching the threat and removing it from your PC in a timely manner.

Spear phishing and other socially engineered attacks have become so sophisticated that hackers are very good at sneaking past security checkpoints. No one expects to deal with a computer infected with a malware, but even the most diligent and cyber savvy person makes mistakes.