Malware infections are becoming increasingly more common throughout time. With these instructions, these should help you handle a virus infection on any of your personal devices.
For instructions on how to protect yourself from viruses please view our other article “Securing Your Devices” located here
What type of device do you wish to disinfect?
If this device is an asset of IS&T please contact your Desktop Services staff member to assist you with cleaning your work asset. If this is a personal asset, you can use these tips below to help clean your personal device.
Mobile
- Back up your device. If you are able to back up your data, it is highly recommended to back up your data before proceeding with cleaning the virus infection.
[Instructions for: iPhone and iPad, Android]
- Scan the device with mobile anti-malware software. The next step would be to run an anti-malware product on your mobile phone. There are multiple paid and free solutions for a variety of mobile devices.
[Instructions for: iPhone and iPad, Android]
- Wipe the device if necessary. If you are unable to clean the infection from your mobile device, the next step would be to wipe the operating system from the device.
[Instructions for: iPhone and iPad, Android]
- Change account passwords. It is always good practice that you change your device/account passwords if you had one of your devices compromised. You can change your BU password following the instructions at https://www.bu.edu/tech/services/security/iam/authentication/kerberos/kerberos/reset/
Desktop/Laptop
- Back up your device. If you are able to back up your data, it is highly recommended to back up your data before proceeding with cleaning the virus infection. For all operating systems, you can use Google Drive which as a student you have unlimited storage. You can also use external USB hard drives, or use the backup functions of Windows or macOS.
- Run virus scans. Next you would need to run up to date anti virus software to try and clean the infection.
- Wipe the Device if necessary: If the malware infection was not cleaned, the best course of action is to wipe and reload the operating system.
- For macOS, the instructions are located here to help reinstall the operating system.
- For Windows depending on the version there are different instructions:
- Change account passwords. It is always good practice that you change your device/account passwords if you had one of your devices compromised. You can change your BU password following the instructions at https://www.bu.edu/tech/services/security/iam/authentication/kerberos/kerberos/reset/
If you have any questions please contact the IT Help Center
