You opened an e-mail attachment and it launches a virus. The virus takes control of your system and you are unable to run your anti-virus software. Which of the following is the best step for you to…

Question

Options

• ALet the virus run its course.
• BCall your local authorities to report an identity theft.
• CTurn off your computer and reboot from a known, clean system disk.
• DPlug in your backup drive to try to initiate an immediate backup of important files.

• A
  5% (2)
• B
  2% (1)
• C
  84% (37)
• D
  9% (4)

Explanation

Turning off your computer and booting from a known clean system disk (Option C) isolates the infection - it stops the virus from spreading, prevents further damage, and lets you run antivirus tools from a trusted, uncompromised environment. Option A is dangerous because viruses can delete files, exfiltrate data, or spread to other systems while running. Option B jumps ahead - identity theft may not have occurred yet, and law enforcement can't remove the virus from your machine. Option D is the worst move: plugging in a backup drive gives the virus a fresh target to infect, potentially corrupting your only clean copy of important data.

Memory tip: Think "isolate before you remediate" - always cut off the virus's power and reach (shutdown + clean boot) before attempting any recovery or reporting steps.

No community discussion yet for this question.