It's no secret that when browsing the Internet, web browsers are the first to be infected with all kinds of computer viruses, and subsequently, through the gaps created in them, threats easily penetrate computers and infect other system components, user files and installed programs. How to check the browser for viruses, despite the fact that antivirus software may be installed in the system, and let's try to figure it out. But first, let's decide what exactly to look for.
Which viruses mostly attack web browsers?
As for the current threats attacked by browsers, most often they belong to the adware classes Adware, Malware and Hijackers. Such applets are spontaneously embedded in browser shells, change start pages, constantly redirect to sites of dubiouscontent, flood browsers with ads, etc.
By and large, such threats can be eliminated quite simply. However, it is not uncommon to find spyware from the Spyware category, which, when infected with a computer system, begins to steal personal data or confidential information (for example, passwords from bank cards or something like that). Often, without the knowledge of the user, they perform some actions on the same pages on social networks, and sometimes they block the system altogether, encrypting files and demanding payment for decryption.
How to check your browser for viruses: visual method
It is clear that the user faces a rather difficult task related to the timely detection of such threats, because some free antiviruses are not always able to detect and block them. But how to check for viruses the Yandex browser or any other installed in the system? The first step is to apply the method of such a visual inspection.
Signs of infection may be the appearance of advertisements in the browser, changes in the start page or search engine. Sometimes even the icon (shortcut) of the browser on the "Desktop" may change. If such symptoms have been noticed, it is necessary to immediately apply emergency measures to neutralize the threats that have entered the system. And using a regular antivirus, as you probably already understand, is completely pointless. Firstly, it has already missed the threat, and secondly, some virus applets may have security certificates or even digitalpublisher's signatures, causing them to be completely ignored by common security software.
How to check the browser for viruses using specialized scanners?
When at least one of the above symptoms appears, it is advisable to use portable utilities such as AdwCleaner, KVRT, Dr. Web CureIt!, Kaspersky TDSSKiller and the like.
But even here many users have questions. For example, some users do not know how to check the Opera browser for viruses (or any other): scan only the main folder with the browser installed or scan the entire system as a whole?
Of course, you can find the directory with the installed program and just specify it as the main checked folder. But there is no guarantee that the virus will not create its own copy somewhere else or infect other files, no! Therefore, when using scanners, it is advisable to mark all check points, including hard disk partitions, and removable media, if they are currently connected, and RAM, and boot sectors.
Checking panels and browser extensions
Now let's see how to check the browser for viruses using the same visual method. A typical situation for many viruses is when they embed their own extensions and some additional panels into browsers.
Thereforeit is recommended to go into the settings of each browser, go to the extensions section and remove any questionable applets that you did not add yourself. It is worth paying special attention to the fact that many advertising viruses install not only panels or add-ons, but also install their own applications (such actions are typical for many online casinos). Do not be too lazy to go to the programs and components section through the usual "Control Panel" and if you have any doubts about some installed applications, try to remove them.
If uninstallation is not possible, to get rid of both applications and browser panels, the most suitable tool would be to use special uninstallers like iObit Uninstaller, which can remove both the main and residual components of dubious programs, even in cases where access they may be blocked.
Checking browser shortcuts
Another simple technique for detecting threats is to check the browser shortcut. First, let's see how to check the Chrome browser for viruses.
Call the shortcut properties item via RMB and look at the object type field. There, after specifying the full path to the Chrome.exe executable file, there should be nothing else. If there is something else after the EXE extension (for example, a URL or a link to a script), remove all postscripts and save the changes.
If we talk about howcheck the Opera browser for viruses, the steps are similar to the previous ones, however, keep in mind that to start the browser, not the object with the browser name is used, but the Launcher.exe file. The same steps must be performed for all browsers that are on the system, including Internet Explorer and Edge, present in Windows 10. If this is not done, the virus can easily activate again, for example, when IE automatically starts to open some site on the Internet or to execute a script.
Actions with the hosts file
How to check the browser for viruses with the simplest methods, figured it out a little. Separately, it should be said about the contents of the hosts file, which is directly involved in visiting Internet pages.
Run Notepad as administrator (via Run menu or Task Manager). After that, open the file you are looking for from the etc directory by setting the type of document to open to "All Files", and then remove all links starting with an IP address followed by a resource name that are present BEFORE (!) the local host description line (localhost 127.0. 0.1), that is, above it. Everything below is blocked, and these entries, if you really need them, it is better not to touch them.
Checking browsers using online resources
Finally, to simplify your task, you can use specialized resources that will help you check the browser from which you are logging in directly online.
For example, go to the Qualys Browser Check resource, run a scan without installing the plug-in, and in the check results, pay attention to the items marked in red, which indicates a virus infection. To get rid of the threat, just click the Fix It button.
Note: For the future, set each browser to a higher security level by disabling automatic plugin updates or even scripting using ActiveX controls.
