There’s a program on my desktop that I didn’t install. How do I remove it?
— A reader in Minnesota
You’re wise to be concerned if you see an unfamiliar icon on your desktop or the Start menu. It certainly could be malicious software.
Ask your family if you share the computer or if someone else uses it occasionally, just to be sure. If no one recognizes the program, scan this list for common signs you’re dealing with malware or a hacker. This includes oddly slow performance, lots of pop-ups and extra data usage.
Even if it’s not strictly malware, plenty of shady programs can clog up your computer and make it run poorly. You need to uninstall the software.
For Windows PCs:
- Click the Start menu button and scroll until you find the app you want to remove.
- Right-click on its icon, then choose Uninstall.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to finish up.
For Macs:
- Click the Finder icon in your dock — the blue icon that looks like a smiling face.
- Click Applications on the left-hand side of the window.
- Find the icon for the app you want to remove and drag it into your Trash can.
- Click on the Trash can in your dock, then Empty.
More ways to protect against malware
Removing a malicious program is a good start, but there are more things you can do to stay protected. Here are a few suggestions:
- Keep your devices updated to get the latest security patches.
- Only download apps from official app stores. Always go to the official source and double-check that you are installing the correct app. Even though bad apps still get through, this is still the safest way.
- Watch out for apps that use a similar logo to other popular apps or have similar functions. Also, check reviews to see if others are warning about suspicious activity.
- Pay attention to permissions. Stay away if an app wants full access to your text messages or notifications.
- Have trustworthy antivirus software on all your devices. We recommend our sponsor, TotalAV. Right now, get an annual plan of TotalAV Internet Security for only $19 at ProtectWithKim.com. That’s over 85% off the regular price!
❓ Have a question for me? Drop it right here, or leave me a voicemail at 602‑381‑8200 ext. 290.