It is no secret that when browsing the Internet, it is web browsers that are primarily infected with all kinds of computer viruses, and subsequently through the vulnerabilities created in them, they 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 can be installed in the system, and try to figure it out. But first, let's decide what exactly you need to look for.
Which viruses are most commonly attacked by web browsers?
As for the current threats that browsers attack, they most often relate to adware, Adware, Malware and Hijackers class viruses. Such applets spontaneously integrate into browser shells, change start pages, constantly redirect to sites of dubious content, flood browsers with advertising, etc.
By and large, such threats can be eliminated quite simply. However, you can often find spyware from the Spyware category, which, when a computer system is infected, begins to steal personal data or confidential information (for example, passwords from bank cards or something like that). Often, they, without the knowledge of the user, perform some actions on the same pages on social networks, and sometimes even completely block the system, encrypting files and requiring 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 the Yandex browser or any other browser installed on the system for viruses? First of all, it is necessary to apply the method of such a visual inspection.
Signs of infection may be the appearance in the browser of advertising, changes to the start page or search engine. Sometimes even the browser icon (shortcut) on the “Desktop” can be changed. If such symptoms have been noticed, emergency measures must immediately be taken to neutralize threats that have entered the system. And using a full-time antivirus, as you probably already understand, is completely pointless. Firstly, he already missed the threat, and secondly, some virus applets may have security certificates or even digital signatures of the publisher, which is why normal protection programs completely ignore them.
How to check the browser for viruses using specialized scanners?
If at least one of the above symptoms appears, it is advisable to use portable utilities of the class AdwCleaner, KVRT, Dr. Web CureIt !, Kaspersky TDSSKiller and the like.
But 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 for the main folder with the browser installed or scan the entire system?
Of course, you can find the directory with the installed program and simply 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! Therefore, when using scanners, it is desirable to note all the 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. Typical for many viruses is the situation when they embed their own extensions and some additional panels in browsers.
Therefore, it is recommended to go into the settings of each browser, go to the extensions section and delete all doubtful applets that you yourself did not add. It is especially worth paying attention to the moment that many adware 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 enter the programs and components section through the usual “Control Panel” and if in doubt about any installed applications, try to remove them.
If uninstallation is impossible, to get rid of both applications and browser panels, the most suitable tool would be to use special uninstall programs like iObit Uninstaller, which can remove the main and residual components of questionable programs even in cases where access to them may be blocked .
Checking browser shortcuts
Another simple threat detection technique is to check the browser shortcut. First, let's see how to check the Chrome browser for viruses.
Through RMB, call the shortcut properties item and look at the object type field. There, after specifying the full path to the Chrome.exe executable, nothing else should be. If after the EXE extension something else is present (for example, a URL or a link to a script), delete all posts and save the changes.
If we talk about how to check the Opera browser for viruses, the actions are similar to the previous ones, however, keep in mind that to start the browser, it is not the object with the browser name that is used, but the Launcher.exe file. The same steps must be performed for all browsers that are available on the system, including Internet Explorer and Edge, which is present in Windows 10. If this is not done, the virus can easily be activated again, for example, when IE starts automatically to open a 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, a little figured out. Separately, it should be said about the contents of the hosts file, which is directly involved in visiting Internet pages.
Launch Notepad as administrator (through the Run menu or through the Task Manager). After that, open the desired file from the etc directory by setting “All files” in the type of the opened document, and then delete all links beginning with the IP address followed by the resource name that are present BEFORE (!) The local host description line (localhost 127.0. 0.1), i.e., above it. Everything below is blocked, and these records, if you really need them, it is better not to touch them.
Check browsers using online resources
Finally, to simplify your task, you can use specialized resources that will help you verify the browser from which you are logged in, directly in online mode.
For example, go to the Qualys Browser Check resource, run a scan without installing the plug-in, and in the scan 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 the security level in the settings of each browser by disabling automatic updating of plugins or even execution of scripts involving ActiveX controls.